Gauteng Business 2016 edition

FOCUS
Gautrain’s train, bus and parking
services are all fully integrated and
may be used separately or jointly by
transfering from one to another
and the Gautrain service has delivered at an excellence
rate of 99% train availability and 98% train punctuality.
A significant number of people have been employed
on the project since its inception. It is estimated
that, at the end of June 2012, the Gautrain
Concessionaire had already created or sustained
about 34 800 local direct jobs and an estimated total
of 121 800 direct, indirect and induced jobs.
An economic study conducted by KPMG in 2015
has shown that the Gautrain has contributed R20-
billion to Gauteng’s GDP and R46-billion to property
development along its route since its development
phase that ran from 2006 to the current day. The
study also found that Gautengers are making public
transport a mode of choice, with 77% of Gautrain’s
current ridership making the modal shift from private
cars to using the Gautrain.
These Socio-Economic Devel op ment achievements
are proof that the Gautrain is more than just a
train but rather a sustainable project that continues
to contribute to the economy and the people of
Gauteng throughout.
The Gautrain is not competing with other modes
of public transport, such as taxis and buses, which all
have an important role to play in the total transport
system. The service comprises of a fleet of modern
low-entrance and low-emission buses with comfortable
seating, providing feeder and distribution services
to and from the Gautrain stations. The municipal
Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) services are also integrated
with the Gautrain at some of the Gautrain stations.
Commuters, therefore, do not have to experience the
same frustrations and delays as motorists experience
in terms of escalating traffic congestion.
The Gautrain Management Agency was recently
given the approval by Gauteng MEC for Roads and
Transport, Dr Ismail Vadi, to conduct a feasibility study
for a possible rapid rail extension to the Gauteng rail
network as part of the Gauteng Province’s Integrated
Transport Master Plan 2025. The results of this study
will be available in mid-2016.
The purpose of the feasibility study is to inform the
decision to proceed with the Gauteng rail extensions
and the preferred routes that should be developed.
This is based on a number of benefits such as the
transformational impact on the Gauteng economy,
the modernisation of public transport, passenger
access and mobility, improved spatial development,
environmental impact, and numerous other benefits,
such as job creation and poverty alleviation.
The Gautrain provides commuters with a world-class travel experience.
51 GAUTENG BUSINESS 2016