WITH the highly anticipated Soweto derby this Saturday, its all system goes.
This was confirmed by the Stadium Management SA and the relevant authorities at the press brief on Thursday.
Orlando Pirates face-off with rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium on March 9. Kick-off 3pm.
Both sides come into this game blowing hot and cold, but the fact it is a derby, it becomes more personal than anything on the day.
Bucs played a 1- all draw this week against Cape Towns Spurs, yet AmaKhosi registered a slender win 1-0 over ‘Abafana be S’thende’ Golden Arrows.
Legend has it ‘beware the ides of march’ and come 7pm, the results will favour the team that will convert it chances.
A draw is unlikely considering both clubs are aiming to better their chances on the PSL log: Bucs (5) has thus far garnered 30 points, and AmaKhos (6) has 29 points, respectively.
Interim Chiefs coach Cavin Johnson knows a loose will be costly and could decide his fate, whereas for Bucs’ Jose Riviero, its all about pride.
Meanwhile, the City of Joburg’s Rea Vaya BRT will operate a transport service to the stadium.
Rea Vaya buses will be provided, and soccer fans will be transported from some major parts of Soweto and the Joburg CBD to FNB Stadium.
The City advise soccer fans to access Rea Vaya buses in time to get to the FNB Stadium before Kick-off at 15h30.
The frequency of the T1 service will be stepped up from the normal service to 5 minutes from 11h00 for soccer fans travelling from Thokoza Park (Soweto to FNB) and Ellis Park (CBD to FNB Stadium). T3 buses from Library Gardens East will be operating a normal service at a frequency of 15 minutes.
Rea Vaya Soccer City (FNB Stadium) station will open from 10:00 on Saturday, 9 March 2024.
The T1 and C1 service will run at a frequency of 15 minutes in the morning and the T1 service will step up the service to a 5 minutes frequency from 12:00 to 15:30. T3 will operate at 15 minutes frequency throughout the day.
Fans using the T3 buses from the Joburg CBD and Braamfontein will connect T1 & C1 at the Rea Vaya Orlando Stadium Station to FNB stadium without paying extra cost for the trip.
After the match, all Rea Vaya buses leaving from FNB Stadium will operate at 5 minutes frequency to transport soccer fans to their destination points.
The Soweto derby service will end at 19:00.
Soccer fans can either use Smartcards or buy single or double trip cards obtainable from all Rea Vaya stations for travel.
The cost of a smartcard is R35.00. Single trip card cost R30.00.
No smartcards and trip cards will be sold at Soccer City Rea Vaya ticket office before and after the match. There will be no loading of smartcards at the station.
Smartcard holders will pay fares based on distance travelled to the FNB stadium. In addition, they will also pay 10% discount for a trip travelled.
Passengers are advised to buy return cards [2X single trip cards] at all Rea Vaya stations.
SMSA boss Bertie Grobbelaar has also urged fans to purchase tickets at reputable ticket stations, to avoid falling for fake ones, that seem to be a ‘norm’ on such games.
All images Mdu Mphahlele ( Bucs coach Jose Riviero and counterpart at AmaKhosi Cavin Johnson at the media brief on Thursday in preparation for Soweto derby).
