By Anthony Hales (May 2009)

I recently had the opportunity to visit South Africa’s largest construction project, the Gautrain. As you all know, the Gautrain has been in the spotlight for a couple of years now and is considered to be an answer to our public transport needs.

Construction on the Gautrain started in September 2006. It was broken into two phases, which would start construction simultaneously.

The first was to be a 45 month project and included tracks between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, and passing the stations of OR Tambo, Rhodesfield, Marlboro and Sandton, together with the depot and operations control centre near Allandale Road in Midrand.

The second was to be a 54 month project, due for completion in 2011. It includes the remainder of the rail network and stations linking Sandton to Park Station in Johannesburg and the route from Midrand to Hatfield.

What was amazing to hear was that about 94 000 jobs have been created to complete this project, a considerable number, when one considers the current unemployment South Africa struggles with.
Travelling time between Park Station, Johannesburg and Hatfield will be 42 minutes; and it will take just 14 minutes from Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport, with a train at least every 10 minutes during peak times at stations between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

In total, there will be 96 Rail cars and 24 Trains with 4 Rail cars attached, this will increase to 8 cars if needed during peak hours.

I found the tour and presentations highly enjoyable and can say this certainly promises to be South Africa’s Golden Train.

General facts

• Passengers will need only one electronic smart card to pay for a Gautrain trip, a Gautrain feeder bus and car parking.
  
• During construction approximately 6.7 million cubic metres of earth will be moved around and relayed to create the basis for the new rail line.
  
• The Gautrain was “thought of” in 1998, and Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa announced the Gautrain rapid rail link project in February 2000.
  
• There is over 46 square km of construction, this means the Green Side Stadium could fit into it over 700 times.

To read more about the Gautrain go to the website...


<< Back to Press index