DURBAN city manager Mike Sutcliffe yesterday called on 240 transport operators contracted to the city to operate from park-and-ride venues during the soccer World Cup to obey the rules.

Sutcliffe, speaking at the launch of the transport shuttle service, told the transport operators that the city's traffic police would not harass them if they abided by the rules of the road.

The eThekwini municipality has arranged special shuttle services that will operate from Durban's major shopping centres and the newly built King Shaka International Airport during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

Transnat, the operators of Durban Transport, have also been contracted by the city to provide 150 buses and three Sukuma buses that will transport disabled fans.

"An important legacy arising out of the 2010 Fifa World Cup is that in the Durban host city the taxi owners and independent bus operators are working closely with the city to ensure that the public transport system works effectively and efficiently," he said.

Ethekwini mayor Obed Mlaba said the joint venture between the city and transport operators was "historic", adding that it would bring great dividends in years to come.

He claimed people would look back at eThekwini municipality as having led the way in building an integrated public transport system, cooperatively bringing in all stakeholders such as the taxi owners and independent bus operators.

Sutcliffe told the drivers he expected them to smile and be tourist ambassadors, to obey the rules of the road and keep the noise in taxis down.

The airport shuttle service will operate between the King Shaka International Airport and the CBD transport hub next to The Workshop complex with some trips passing through Umhlanga Rocks.