Written by Lucille Davie
Since the Gautrain first went into operation in June 2010, it has transported almost 80 million passengers between Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport.
“The Gautrain has become a mode of choice for those who use it on a daily basis. It is safe, convenient, quick, reliable and offers value for money,” said Jack van der Merwe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency.
The 80km Gautrain route, with stations in downtown Johannesburg, Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield, plus a route to the airport via Rhodesfield, opened three days before the World Cup in 2010. It was completed in 2012.
Gautrain fact file
The Gautrain:
- Is serviced by 125 feeder 60-seater buses, and 12 25-seater buses
- Runs underground for 15km, and 65km above ground
- Contributed R20 billion to Gauteng’s GDP during construction
- Created 121 800 jobs during construction, running from 2006 to 2012
- Has 24-hour security, with over 600 CCTV cameras and over 400 security guards at stations, car parks and aboard the trains
- Uses a smart card, allowing seamless transfers between the train, buses and parades
- Contributes R1.7 billion to Gauteng’s economy each year, of which R617 million goes to poverty alleviation
- Has transported almost 80 million passengers since June 2010
- Creates four jobs each year for every R1 million in operational expenditure
- Employs 6 000 people (2017)
- Saves 10-12 working days each year as it is eight times faster than cars on congested roads
- Links to Metrorail trains at Park, Pretoria and Rhodesfield stations
- Plans to put 12 new trains on the tracks over the next three years, adding to its 24 trains
- New routes will link Jabulani to Cosmo City, Roodepoort, Mamelodi, Fourways, Randburg, Lanseria, Irene, Tshwane East, and Boksburg
- Estimates that the new routes will create 10 000 jobs, with R206 million going to low income households in incubation and upskilling programmes
New routes
As a result of its growth, new routes are being planned to broaden the Gautrain’s reach in Gauteng. A feasibility study that has been conducted recommends the following network extensions:
- A link between Jabulani via Cosmo City and Samrand to Mamelodi, with stations at Roodepoort, Little Falls, Fourways, Sunninghill, Olievenhoutbosch, Irene, Tshwane East and Hazeldean
- A link between Sandton and Cosmo City with a station at Randburg
- A link between Rhodesfield and Boksburg, with a station at the East Rand Mall and a possible link-up with the OR Tambo International Airport Midfield Terminal Development.
- A future link from Cosmo City to Lanseria Airport.
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