Gautrain
Rapid Rail Link - Connecting World Cup 2010 Visitors
 The
Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is a state-of-the-art rapid
rail network planned in Gauteng. The rail connection
comprises of two links, namely a link between Tshwane
(Pretoria) and Johannesburg and a link between OR Tambo
International Airport and Sandton. Apart from the three
anchor stations on these two links, seven other stations
will be linked by approximately 80 kilometres of rail
along the proposed route.
 The
three anchor stations will be located at:
- OR Tambo International Airport;
- Tshwane; and
- Johannesburg.
The seven other stations will be located at:
- Rosebank
- Sandton
- Marlboro
- Midrand
- Centurion
- Hatfield and
- Rhodesfield (Kempton Park).
This modern train will offer international standards
of public transport with high levels of safety, reliability,
predictability and comfort. Travelling at maximum speeds
of 160 to 180 kilometres per hour it will reach Tshwane
from Johannesburg in less than 40 minutes. The minimum
frequency between Johannesburg and Tshwane will initially
be six trains per hour per direction and it will operate
approximately 18 hours per day. This public transport
service will include dedicated, exclusive bus services
to transport passengers to and from stations.
Besides the commuter service, air passengers will have
a dedicated service between OR Tambo International Airport
and Sandton. This purpose-designed service brings Gauteng
in line with global practice which links cities by rail
to international airports. Designed with facilities
suited to their specific needs, airport passengers will
be able to check-in their luggage at Sandton station.
The trip between the airport and Sandton station will
take less than 15 minutes.
Safety and security of Gautrain passengers and other
affected parties are of utmost importance. The safety
and security features are extended to other facilities
of the services such as the station precinct and vehicle
parking areas.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project offers a cost
effective, efficient, environmentally friendly and safe
solution to some of the worst transport problems in
the most densely developed area in Gauteng and indeed
South Africa. It also supports many other government
objectives.
The Project is now managed as part of the Gauteng Department
of Finance and Economic Affairs Public Private Partnership
Unit. Gautrain was initiated as one of eleven Blue IQ
projects of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).
Blue IQ is a multi-billion Rand initiative of the GPG
to develop economic infrastructure for specific major
projects in smart industries, high value-added manufacturing
and tourism. It works in partnership with business and
government departments as a catalyst to promote strategic
private sector investment in key growth sectors of the
Gauteng economy.
The Gautrain project is, therefore, primarily aimed
at enhancing and supporting economic growth in the Gauteng
Province and generating employment. This project is
part of a longer-term vision, which will include a commitment
towards creating and sustaining a new culture of public
transport usage. |
