The Gautrain Rapid Rail
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is a state-of-the-art rapid rail network planned in Gauteng. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Tshwane (Pretoria) and Johannesburg and a link between Johannesburg International Airport and Sandton. Apart from the three anchor stations on these two links, seven other stations will be linked by approximately 80 kilometres of rail along the proposed route.
The three anchor stations will be located at:
- Johannesburg International Airport
- Tshwane
- Johannesburg
The seven other stations will be located at:
- Rosebank
- Sandton
- Marlboro
- Midrand
- Centurion
- Hatfield
- Rhodesfield (Kempton Park)
This modern train will offer international standards of public transport with high levels of safety, reliability, predictability and comfort. Travelling at maximum speeds of 160 to 180 kilometres per hour it will reach Tshwane from Johannesburg in less than 40 minutes. The minimum frequency between Johannesburg and Tshwane will initially be six trains per hour per direction and it will operate approximately 18 hours per day. This public transport service will include dedicated, exclusive bus services to transport passengers to and from stations.
Besides the commuter service, air passengers will have a dedicated service between Johannesburg International Airport and Sandton. This purpose-designed service brings Gauteng in line with global practice which links cities by rail to international airports. Designed with facilities suited to their specific needs, airport passengers will be able to check-in their luggage at Sandton station. The trip between the airport and Sandton station will take less than 15 minutes.
Why a rapid rail system?...
Gauteng, the country’s economic hub, is currently experiencing traffic congestion on its major routes, especially between Tshwane and Johannesburg. The current transport facilities and services between these two cities are mainly road based. The land required for a rapid rail system is far less than that of a road system. Apart from alleviating the severe traffic congestion, economic development will be stimulated by the rapid rail system and it will have distinct environmental advantages over other forms of transport.