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Pretoria station gets R18m facelift in World Cup preparation

Xolile Bhengu

Xolile Bhengu

The Pretoria Station has been given an R18million luxury coach bus terminus, seven years after a fire almost destroyed the transport hub for good.

Intersite Property Management Services have turned the station into a 12000m² modern, long distance bus terminus, with new restrooms, a food court and sheltered waiting areas for commuters.

The station facelift was funded by the South African Rail Commuter Corporation, which identified it as one of the main intermodal transport nodes for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Intersite chief executive Nonyameko Mandindi says bus travel will be one of the main modes of transport used by visitors, adding that the revamp project was approached with that in mind.

She said the project was part of government's R9billion funding plan for the upgrade of public transport.

"The event will put the country under the spotlight of impressions of capability, and we have to ensure that visitors expectations are met or even surpassed.

"The station over the years, has become a hive of activity with thousands of passengers passing through entrances to catch a train or a coach out of town," she said.

The station was first built in 1893 for steam trains but in 1910 it was converted by architect Sir Herbert Baker. However, it was turned into an inferno spectacle by commuters in 2001.

The revamped station will be used by Greyhound, Intercape, Translux and SA Roadlink.

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