Gautrain extension long term

Laura Pisanello

The MEC for roads and transport, Ismail Vadi, has clarified that plans to extend the Gautrain route, including a route from the Sandton Gautrain to Lanseria Airport, would take place over the next few decades, reports Sandton Chronicle.

Dikgang Moiloa, the Gauteng MEC for human settlements, was recently quoted as saying that the plans to expand the route were about to be approved.

Earlier this year, the Gautrain Management Agency conducted a feasibility study for the expansion of the Gautrain rail network.

The study assessed a variety of aspects, including the transformational impact on the economy, greener transportation solutions, improved spatial development and job creation and poverty alleviation.

The additional proposed routes show the Sandton Gautrain station as a hub, offering routes through Randburg to Lanseria Airport, Mamelodi and Boksburg.

Due to the increase in the use of cars, the study identified that, by the year 2037, cars will travel an average of 15km an hour and the expansion of the rail network is necessary to deal with the unsustainable road congestion.

Vadi said: “The extension project will provide significant economic and transport-related benefits to the province. However, the decision for the extensions is not imminent and there are ongoing discussions about additional revenue models and demand studies.”

Vadi said the Gautrain Management Agency is also engaging with the national department of transport steering committee and the Strategic Integrated Project 7 steering committee.

It is expected the expansion will be a multibillion-rand project and will require investments from government and the private sector. – Caxton News Service