Gautrain ‘dream’ fast becoming a reality

The dream of a highspeed train linking Johannesburg, Pretoria and the airport is slowly but surely becoming a reality. With construction having reached the halfway mark, Gautrain is set to change the public transport system of Gauteng forever. According to Dr Barbara Jensen, marketing and communications director for Gautrain, it has been history in the making since the get-go. “After 29 months of construction, the tunnel boring machine has completed its work and is already being packed up. This was the first time such a machine was used in the country, while groundbreaking techniques are being used in the construction of the viaducts on which the train will run in certain sections.” With the train set to start operating on the OR Tambo/ Sandton line on June 27, 2010, construction is progressing well, says Jensen. “This date is two weeks after the start of the Soccer World Cup – simply because Gautrain was never intended as a World Cup Project but rather to address the transport system in Gauteng.” The Johannesburg/Hatfield line will start operating some nine months later. According to Jensen the trip between Johannesburg and Hatfield will take just on 40 minutes including stops at the various stations, while it will take 15 minutes from the airport to Sandton. According to Jensen forecasts indicate a potential current ridership of more than 100 000 passengers per day, which is well over the international norm for a new rail service. Fares have yet to be determined, but will be lower than the perceived cost of using a car. “Our concession agreement is of such a nature that fees cannot be hiked unreasonably. It will be more expensive than existing rail and taxi fares.” Jensen said it was not just about the train but rather the entire transport system upgrade. “There will be 36 feeder and distribution routes spanning some 420km that the 150 buses will service bringing passengers to and from the stations. A smartcard system will be introduced to use for all payment whether it be train tickets, bus fees or parking. With 96 coaches being constructed, a single train will consist of four carriages but more can be linked if necessary. The Gautrain is set to operate daily from 5.30am to 8.30pm, with frequency varying every ten to 30 minutes depending on the train schedule.