There will be a special service to Soccer City Station for the big football game on Saturday, with tickets costing just R12.

A SPECIAL Rea Vaya service will be laid on for soccer fans heading to FNB Stadium for the first leg of the MTN 8 Wafa-Wafa semifinals between Kaizer Chiefs and arch rivals Orlando Pirates this Saturday, 11 September.

Extended Rea Vaya services for soccer fans

The semifinals of the tournament are played over two weekends because the competition comprises a home and an away game. Pirates host Chiefs in the first leg and the Soweto Derby returns to the same venue on Sunday, 26 September, when Chiefs host Pirates.

Jeff Ngcobo, Rea Vaya's operations director, says the bus system will operate its normal service until 6pm on Saturday; thereafter buses will run every 15 minutes in both directions on the trunk route – from Soweto and Ellis Park – to the stadium. The last bus to the stadium will depart Thokoza Park and Ellis Park simultaneously, at 7.30pm.

Spectators can ride any bus on the trunk route from Soweto and the CBD to the stadium. "Fans will thus be able to take any trunk route bus from any trunk route station from both Soweto and the CBD stations when going to the stadium."

Ngcobo notes that Soccer City Station will be the only drop off and pick up point for both CBD and Soweto commuters. The eastside of the station will serve commuters coming from the CBD while the westside will serve Soweto commuters.

Soccer fans using the feeder routes from Naledi, Protea Glen, Mofolo, Jabavu and Eldorado Park, including the Dobsonville complementary service, will be catered for before and after the match, says Ngcobo. "The inner city route via Braamfontein will not be part of the services offered on Saturday."

There will, however, be no Park and Ride facilities for this clash.

Ngcobo says the special arrangement will not disrupt the daily commuter service. "In addition to its normal Saturday commuter service, Rea Vaya will be running a soccer match service only on its normal routes for spectators going to the Chiefs vs Pirates soccer game."

By catching a Rea Vaya bus, football spectators can get to the game on time and avoid being stuck in traffic. The match starts at 8.15pm.

A bus ticket for the stadium trip costs R12. "Buy a return event ticket for R12 from any station when travelling on the normal services to prevent queuing after the game. Plan your trip before leaving home or your station of departure. Ask information from station staff if uncertain."

Tickets for the MTN 8 Soweto Derby are already on sale. For more information about Saturday's dedicated service, telephone Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555.

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