Sibusiso Gebenga
The Gauteng Provincial Government is set to assume ownership of the multi-billion
Gautrain rapid rail system that has contributed significantly to the provincial
economy, its spinoff and created employment opportunities.
This was unveiled by Head of Department (HoD) Dr Thulani Mdadane, at an outside
broadcast held at the Marlboro Gautrain Station on Thursday, 12 October 2023, in
Alexandra – Johannesburg.
He highlighted that the rapid rail system will revert back to the Department after the end of the
concession period in 2026.
“Gautrain is a strategic asset which will be handed over to the province at the end of
this current concession. The Gauteng Provincial Government will own a R45 billion asset which has contributed
significantly to the issues of the provincial economy, infrastructural spinoffs and employment opportunities”
noted the HoD.
Gautrain is an 80-kilometre higher-speed express commuter rail system which links Johannesburg, Pretoria,
Kempton Park and O. R. Tambo International Airport.
The community engagement initiative serves to celebrate October Transport
Month (OTM) by profiling the province’s approach to making rail the backbone of public transport and
highlight contributions by Gautrain towards socio-economic
development in the province. Dr Mdadane also highlighted that Gautrain has made possible the creation of over
61000 indirect job opportunities with a further 10 000 direct jobs created. The rapid rail system contributes over R61 billion to the country’s GDP, he added.
He further added the expansion will cover underserviced areas including townships. This, he said, was part of
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s call for the Gautrain’s expansion plans to include townships and
not only Alexandra”. Thus, the main objective being to build, operate and maintain a sustainable rail system for
the benefit of all. In addition, Dr Mdadane further assured commuters the new concession will look
into ticket price model to accommodate low-income groups and areas as Gautrain expands its services across the
province.
Sharing the stage with the CEO, Mr. William Dachs – Gautrain Management Agency chief
executive – detailed the background and future plans for the project. “The current
Gautrain project was in phase one, with 80 kms of rail network linking key economic
areas in the province. The agency is planning to expand by another 150 kms of
rail network which will link the outline areas”. He revealed the expansion project is
currently at an advanced stage. Last year, the agency completed a route proclamation
that included areas such as Randburg, LittleFalls and Cosmo City further north.
This was a critical stage in the process of securing and obtaining land rights. Work is
underway conducting Phase 2 of the proclamation routes towards Roodepoort
and Soweto, he added. During OTM campaign, the Department and
the rail agency will host and attend various activities highlighting achievements in the
public transport sector, new innovations in promoting and developing an efficient, affordable, integrated and safe public transport system.
SOURCED FROM THE GAUTENG GOVERNMENT WEBSITE.
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