On the eve of the kick-off of the FIFA World Cup, the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) stresses the crucial role of public transport in large events organisation. In June 2009, UITP published a Focus Paper with recommendations to the attention of host cities organizing large events.

Transport has been one of the major worries of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, and strong efforts have been done to secure an effective transport system in and between the cities. Public transport was defined by Dr. Danny Jordan, CEO of the Organizing Committee as the ‘lifeblood of the FIFA World Cup’ It has always been identified as one of the key areas of the tournament.

According to the UITP Focus Paper published in June 2009, the experience shows that large events critically rely on the ability of the public transport system of the host city and its region to get large amounts of extra travellers to the right places, as it is the only way to avoid inextricable traffic jams and high air pollution.

Large events represent both an opportunity and a test for public transport. The host city can benefit from the efficiency of public transport with a consequent chance to enhance the image of the city, and to give an impetus to the economic development of the area.

UITP reminds that large events can encourage or accelerate the implementation of transport projects or the development of transport infrastructure that had already been foreseen to enhance urban, metropolitan or interurban mobility. The perspective of large events may make additional resources available for structural developments.

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Notes to Editors

UITP (International Association of Public Transport) is the international network for public transport authorities and operators, policy decision-makers, scientific institutes and the public transport supply and service industry. It is a platform for worldwide cooperation, business development and the sharing of know-how between its 3,200 members from 90 countries. UITP is the global advocate for public transport and sustainable mobility, and the promoter of innovations in the sector. For more information, visit www.uitp.org.