Addressing the National Assembly's transport committee, she said the Treasury had assured the department of R3-billion to prepare for the tournament.

She said most of the money would be used to improve road and rail infrastructure and to fund important interventions, such as linking stadiums with railway networks.

Some of the money would be needed to improve customs facilities at airports and border posts to ensure less inconvenience for visiting soccer fans.

Her department wanted to use the high-profile event to accelerate improvements in the transport system.

It was also anticipating an additional grant of R200-million from the Treasury, which would be used for improving rail facilities over the next two years.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had also pledged financial support for the World Cup, Stander said.

Her department hoped to produce detailed plans of the required finance to prepare for the World Cup as well as estimates of expected revenue and donor contributions by July this year.

"There are other pledges and financial commitment in small amounts from a number of organisations that we expect to receive," she said.

However, she acknowledged that the planned introduction of the new 18 to 35-seat taxis would not be completed by 2010. - Political Bureau.

from Pretoria News.