The Mother City is already behind schedule in its planning to overcome transport problems expected during the World Cup in 2010, Louis Steenkamp, outgoing president of the Cape Town regional chamber of commerce and industry, said yesterday.

He told the chamber?s annual general meeting that even the final decision on which stadium to use had not been made yet.

?One has only to look at the figures to see the magnitude of the challenge,? he told the chamber.

?It is estimated that the World Cup will bring 300000 visitors from overseas and 100000 from across our borders. An army of about 20000 spectators will follow each team around the country.

About 70000 of these people will probably be based in Cape Town, and fly, drive or use tour coaches to attend games,? he said.

Talk of transport problems in the Cape comes as politicians and analysts argue over whether the planned Gautrain project linking Johannesburg and Pretoria with the country?s busiest airport will be completed in time for the 2010 kick-off and whether the high-speed rail link will even help resolve the problems faced by rail commuters.

Steenkamp said air traffic would double as a result of the soccer tournament and a huge increase in the country?s coach fleet would be needed.

?While it may be possible to fly in charter aircraft for the duration of the tournament, the problem of moving passengers to and from the airports is a more formidable challenge,? said Steenkamp.

Importing coaches and adapting them to comply with SA?s transport laws would be a major problem with high costs.

?We are fortunate in that Cape Town will be in a position to accommodate visitors, but the planning of the transport requirements needs urgent attention.

?We are also concerned about the capacity of the city council to undertake the work as it has lost the services of many skilled planners in recent months. Their number includes people who worked on the (2004) Olympic bid and have invaluable knowledge and understanding of the problems that need to be solved,? said Steenkamp.

Steenkamp said a combined effort would produce the best possible result for the World Cup, Cape Town and the country.

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