The Gautrain is South Africa’s biggest and most ambitious public transport project yet. Once it is completed, Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo airport will be linked via 80km of rail, some of it underground, and 10 new stations. The link between the airport and Sandton will be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, with the remainder of the route (Sandton to Hatfield, Pretoria, and Sandton to Park Station, Johannesburg) completed in 2011.
According to Gautrain spokesperson Barbara Jensen, the project will be able to meet its deadlines. Nearly 70% of affected properties along the proposed route have been handed over and tunnel portals have been prepared. More than a kilometre of the total 15km of tunnelling has been completed, and work has begun on the underground stations, emergency escape shafts, bridges and viaducts. Train and bus depots are under construction.
Jensen explained that the Gautrain is an integrated transport solution with train and bus feeder services to transport passengers to stations up to 15km away. There will be 24 separate four-car train sets with trains every 12 minutes in peak hours and every 30 minutes on weekends and public holidays. The first train will be available daily before 5.30am and the last train will leave after 8.30pm. ‘It will take 42 minutes from Park Station in Johannesburg to Hatfield Station in Tshwane. It will only take 15 minutes from Sandton Station to OR Tambo International Airport,” Jensen said. She said Gautrain was expected to reduce air pollution generated by transport, with a saving of about 70 tons of CO2 expected.
According to a cost-benefit analysis, Gautrain will save 585 000 vehicle kilometres a day. Lower traffic congestion will result in travel cost savings of all vehicles in Gauteng of 3c per kilometre. Total accident cost savings will be R475-million a year. Gautrain will save R3,8-billion a year in vehicle operating costs by the year 2030, using 2003 rand values. It will also save R7,1-billion a year in time costs for passengers by 2030, using 2003 rand values.
Gautrain’s success depends on the integration of feeder buses and trains with the stations. The project has been included in the transport and development planning of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, as well as the provincial development plans. Strategic public transport network corridors have been proposed and some are already being developed. The project will be integrated with Metrorail services at Park Station, Rhodesfield, Pretoria and Hatfield. A new Metrorail station at the Gautrain Rhodesfield station is being planned to link it to the Metrorail Isando station.
As safety and security are prime concerns for commuters, Gautrain will feature a barrage of devices designed to ensure a problem-free journey. The entire rail route will be inspected every day, Jensen said. All the trains will have sophisticated safety systems including anti-skid braking devices and devices that assume control if something unforeseen happens on the track or to the driver.
Jensen said closed circuit television systems will enable remote visual surveillance of all train coaches and station facilities. High-security fencing, security barriers and thief-resistant covers will help prevent vandalism and theft. Off-limits areas will be accessed by coded lock systems. Gautrain security staff will provide visible policing on all stations and trains. Only passengers with valid tickets will be able to access platforms and areas will be well lit. ‘All safety and security measures are backed by a rapid deployment plan with immediate assistance rendered, if required, 24/7,” Jensen said.
Passengers with mobility, sight or hearing impairments have also been catered for. ‘The cutting-edge design, technology and attention to detail will make Gautrain the most user-friendly public transport system in South Africa,” she said.