Peak-hour demand puts pressure on system

TRAIN and bus patronage levels have shown consistent growth since their inception. The average weekday train usage stands at about 55 000 passengers a day and bus usage is at about 22 000 passengers a day.

The rapid increase in passenger demand has placed a severe strain on the train system during peak periods and demand is already approaching levels only predicted for 2026.

The parking facilities are also heavily patronised, and well above 90% of the nearly 10 000 available bays are occupied on any weekday.

From an operational perspective, this increased demand is further complicated by the asymmetrical passenger usage pattern apparent on the system.

The morning peak from Pretoria to Johannesburg is extremely busy, but the reverse direction is much less so.

This pattern reverses in the afternoon. The off-peak period in the middle of the day exhibits significant spare capacity.

Several measures have been implemented to increase the available capacity and influence passenger usage patterns.

These include having 23 of the total Gautrain complement of 24 train sets on the tracks during the morning peak, efforts to increase the frequency of trains at peak times from every 12 minutes to 10 minutes, offering discounts of up to 30% during off-peak times and developing plans to procure additional rolling stock. — Errol Braithwaite