2021 2021

The Gauteng Provincial Government, in 2013, completed a 25-Year Gauteng Integrated Transport Master Plan (“GITMP25”) that was commissioned to enable, amongst others, province-wide mobility and societal development in the future. As part of the development of this ITMP25, the transport modelling that was done also predicted a significant increase in traffic congestion, travel times, and associated challenges including greenhouse emissions from 2025. The outcomes of this ITMP25 affirmed amongst others, that the passenger rail network should form the backbone of a modernised and integrated transport system in the Province.

As part of enabling the realisation of the strategic intent of this ITMP25, together with advancing the successes of the current Gautrain system, that amongst others includes the following:

• In the last 11 years Gautrain has carried 126 million train passengers and 38 million bus passengers safely and with almost perfect reliability.
• During the operating period, Gautrain has sustained approximately 12,000 jobs each year in its supply chains and has spent over R4,4 billion on local materials, plant and equipment.
• Independent experts calculate that for every rand spent on Gautrain R2,60 is generated as an economic return for the Gauteng economy.
• The average single trip on the Gautrain saves 2,8 kilograms of CO2 emissions per passenger trip when compared to a private car. That means that the Gautrain trains have saved around 360,000 tons of carbon dioxide pollution since the trains started running in June 2010.
• International experts value carbon savings at around R700 per ton. When added to time savings and reduced road accidents costs each passenger trip on the Gautrain has an economic value of around R74.

the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, in 2014, commissioned the Gautrain Management Agency (“GMA”) with the development of a comprehensive strategy to improve mobility in the Gauteng. This entailed the undertaking of a comprehensive feasibility study to investigate possible extensions to the to the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network (“GRRIN”). Completed in 2016, this Feasibility Study concludes that the GRINN extensions will provide significant economic and transport-related benefits that include the following:

• transformational impact on the Gauteng economy;
• the modernisation of public transport;
• greener transportation solutions for a healthier community;
• passenger access and mobility;
• improved spatial development;
• environmental impact;
• increase in local content;
• business development, and
• the creation of jobs and poverty alleviation

This Feasibility Study is currently subject to the National Treasury Approval process that will enable the commencement of the procurement for Phase 1 of the GRRIN Extensions Project.

The GRRIN extensions will therefore form part of a modernised and integrated transport system that enables sustainable mobility in the future and thus are part of the entire public transport system in Gauteng and not only the Gautrain Service.

The current Route Determination process that is currently underway is legislated through Section 6 of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act (GTIA) as Amended in 2003. This is the first step in the process of defining the rail reserve for the future railway line for the GRRIN project. The purpose of this process is to identify the best possible route which when determined, results in a strip of 200m on either side of the proposed alignment will be protected by the Province

All of the comments that are received by the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) are responded to accordingly. Furthermore, these comments and responses thereto are collated into a report that together with the proposed route alignment documentation are presented to the MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure (MEC) for him to consider as part of the process to determine the final route.

The next step in the process is to undertake the Preliminary Design of the proposed railway system and includes a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This is also a legal requirement in terms of the GTIA and entails further consultation with all interested and affected parties.

Gautrain has introduced a new dedicated student travel pass. As from the 1 March 2021, students travelling on Gautrain will be afforded a 25% saving on their Gautrain trips. This means all full-time students, who are under 25 years of age and are registered with an accredited institution of higher learning in Gauteng, qualify for a 25% saving between any two Gautrain stations of their choice. The student product is available in monthly trips (44trips) and weekly trips (10trips) packages.

The GMA Chief Operating Officer, Tshepo Kgobe said “At the Gautrain Management Agency we strive to ensure that Gautrain is inclusive and accessible - especially to communities along the route. This new student travel pass is in response to Gautrain listening to the needs of students along the route. We urge students to take advantage of this new offer and to be part of Gautrain’s People on the Move”.

To make use of this offer there is a registration process which will be available online from 1 March 2021. Gautrain has partnered with Varsity Vibe to ensure an easy process in validating students and affording them further discounts through the Varsity Vibe application. Detailed information will be available on all Gautrain’s social media platforms and students can also email studentproduct@gautrain.co.za or visit www.mygautrain.co.za for more information.

The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) has placed the procurement of the Gautrain additional rolling stock and depot enhancement project on hold until further notice. The decision was taken in the light of the significant impact that the Covid-19 pandemic and the various lockdowns have had on passenger demand on the Gautrain

Road traffic volumes have also decreased significantly and the growth trajectory for people movements is likely to take some time to recover to pre-Covid levels. Thus, whilst the need for additional rolling stock remains, it is no longer as urgent as it was at the time of issuing the tender documents in 2019. The GMA will consider measures for addressing various needs as part of its future planning of the management of the Gautrain Project and its holistic requirements.

To take advantage of this travel offer the following terms and conditions apply: