/ 23 February 2014

For one night only – Gautrain to operate until after midnight

Gautrains and buses will run past midnight.
Gautrains and buses will run past midnight.

Johannesburg party goers will be afforded the opportunity to enjoy themselves until the early hours of the morning without having to worry about transport.

Primedia and the Gautrain have joined forces to launch "Gauteng's Big Night Out".

"The concept is that, for one night only – Saturday March 1st – Gautrains trains and buses will be running late into the night in support of several … leisure locations and activities in Gauteng," Bombela Concession Company's Errol Braithwaite said in a statement.

"Trains will run past midnight and special Gautrain shuttle buses will transport patrons between the venues and the closest Gautrain station."

The venues will include the Eminem Concert at Ellis Park and the Santana Concert at FNB Stadium.

The train will also cater to those going to restaurants, shops and movies at Rosebank Mall and The Zone as well as night walks at the Johannesburg Zoo, the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Trevor Noah and Andre the Hilarious Hypnotist at Montecasino.

Rugby lovers will also get to enjoy the match between The Lions and Bulls at Loftus Versfeld without having to worry about transport.

Excluding party-goers
Ken Varejes, group chief executive of Primedia Unlimited, said: " Primedia is delighted to partner with the Gautrain to promote leisure activities in the entire province of Gauteng."

Braithwaite said it would be a wonderful way to test the company's systems and operational protocols with a view to possibly running late-night services on a more regular basis in the future.

He however said the system would be catering for the family and those who are "over-exuberant" might be turned away.

"Our services will be geared towards safe and pleasant public transport for the entire family. To that end our security will be fully mobilised and we reserve the right to exclude any over-exuberant party goers from the system," he said. – Sapa