News 2025

GAUTRAIN’S RESPONSE TO CHANGING RIDERSHIP PATTERNS IS ADAPTION
27 March 2025

In response to the changing ridership patterns post-COVID-19, the Gautrain is identifying underserved customer groups and their specific needs, and will be adapting its products and services to make travel more accessible for a diverse range of passengers.


The pandemic has drastically and permanently altered the transit industry. Former frequent commuters continue to work from home in hybrid or remote positions. “The days of a predictable 9-to-5, Monday through Friday commute are over. Passengers are demanding that we run a frequent service throughout the day and offer dynamic pricing to suit their hybrid work schedules. And with the rising cost of living, cost is increasingly becoming the sole determinant when choosing a mode of transport,” said Gautrain Management Agency CEO, Tshepo Kgobe.


Across the world, rail operators continue to adjust to changing ridership patterns by adapting their service offerings accordingly.


According to Kgobe, the Gautrain recently commissioned a brand study, which found that the rapid rail link has maintained its brand positioning as a safe, efficient, clean, and convenient service. However, there is an indication that the brand is perceived as inaccessible to some market segments. “This presents an opportunity to respond innovatively to changing customer needs, preferences and patterns,” Kgobe indicated.


In November 2023, the Gautrain kick-started the process to appoint a new delivery partner who will operate, maintain, modernise, innovate, and upgrade the Gautrain system when the current Gautrain concession agreement comes to an end in March 2026. “A new Public-Private Partnership agreement presents an opportunity to rethink the Gautrain business model, ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence. Under the new agreement, we will be able to consider a range of fare policies and pricing incentives, introduce products and services that address the needs of a diverse range of passengers, and advance equity in transportation,” Kgobe highlighted.


Kgobe added that “public transport systems such as the Gautrain should indeed be inclusive, ensuring accessibility and ease of movement for diverse market segments. We are resilient and adaptable, this is an opportune time to rethink, redesign, renew, and build on a highly functional, world-class system.”


Gauteng, South Africa's most populous province, faces significant road congestion due to high traffic volumes and a rapidly growing population, impacting economic activity and daily commutes. As cities continue to grow, the demand for reliable and accessible transportation options becomes increasingly important. The Gautrain rapid rail link, and the extension of the rail network in Gauteng, is key to addressing road congestion, and offering a faster, more efficient, and sustainable alternative to private vehicles.


“The rapid rail extensions from current Gautrain stations, mostly in the suburbs, to other economic nodes and townships like Soweto and Mamelodi, will significantly increase our customer base, boost ridership, and enable inclusive transport connectivity,” said Kgobe.


Like most rail companies across the world, the Gautrain Management Agency has recognised the need to innovate and diversify its revenue streams. “As part of the diversification strategy, we have already introduced vehicle licensing services at Gautrain stations, and we will be transforming Gautrain stations into hubs for business, retail, and social activities. Gauteng, with its diverse attractions, is also an entertainment playground, so we are striving to position the Gautrain as the mobility of choice for large-scale social, sport and lifestyle events, and places of fun and entertainment,” Kgobe concluded.



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Contact:

Albi Modise
Gautrain Management Agency, Senior Executive Manager: Communication and Marketing
albim@gautrain.co.za

Follow Gautrain on:

•Twitter - @TheGautrain
•Facebook – www.facebook.com/gautrain
•Instagram - @TheGautrain
•Website – www.gautrain.co.za
•Call Centre – 0800 42887246
•SMS alert line – 32693


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CALL FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS: DRAFT ROUTE DETERMINATION REPORT FOR THE SOWETO EXTENSION AND COSMO CITY JUNCTION RAIL EXTENSIONS
27 February 2025

Members of the public can now review and submit written comments on the Draft Route Determination Report for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the proposed Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network (GRRIN) Extensions. This follows the approval of the publishing of the draft report for public comments by the Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, as prescribed by section 6(3) of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act.


As highlighted by Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the recent State of the Province Address, this rail extensions project is a transformative initiative aimed at fostering economic growth and inclusion. The Draft Route Determination Report includes the Preliminary Route Alignment Report, which details the proposed routes and station locations for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the GRRIN extensions project, and an Environmental Investigation Report. The reports will be available for public review and comment, in writing, from 26 February 2025 until 31 March 2025, at www.gautengrapidrail.co.za. Hard copies of the reports can be obtained from the Gautrain Management Agency’s office by prior arrangement, email extensions@gautengrapidrail.co.za to request collection. 


The following is a broad description of the proposed route for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction:

•Little Falls Station to Jabulani Station (Soweto) through Roodepoort Station

•Cosmo City Station to Samrand Station through Fourways Station, Sunninghill Station and Olievenhoutbosch Station

•Cosmo City Station to Lanseria Station through Cradle Station and Smart City Station


Due to the magnitude and complexity of the GRRIN extensions project, it was split into five (5) phases. The route determination for Phase 1 of the proposed extensions, from the existing Gautrain Marlboro Station to Little Falls Station, commenced in October 2018 and resulted in the determination of the route by the then Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, on 25 May 2022.


MEC Diale-Tlabela highlighted that “the GRRIN extensions project is a transformative megaproject that will serve as a key catalyst for economic growth and inclusion.”


The GRRIN extensions project forms part of proposals from Gauteng’s 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan; that a passenger rail network should form the backbone of the province's modernised and integrated transport system. A comprehensive Feasibility Study for Possible Rapid Rail Extensions, completed in 2016, concluded that extensions to the Gauteng rapid rail network will alleviate traffic congestion, improve connectivity and the quality of public transport, stimulate the emergence of hubs of economic activity, and facilitate sustainable growth and liveable cities.


Diale-Tlabela added that, “to tackle inequality, we need to undo apartheid spatial planning, which has scattered our communities and forced many people to live far from areas of work and opportunity. Transport connectivity does not only lead to the integration of communities and create a culture of social inclusion, but also opens up opportunities for job seekers, business, suppliers and investors.”


Route determination is the first step in the process of securing a rail reserve for a future railway line in Gauteng. It includes an exhaustive consultative process whereby all stakeholders, as well as interested and affected parties are provided with an opportunity to make written submissions in regard to the proposed route. After careful consideration of all submissions received from the stakeholders, the MEC may thereafter determine the route for the railway line.


Once the route determination is finalised, the next step will be to undertake a Preliminary Design of the future railway line, to provide further information on the impact on properties located along the proposed alignment of the railway line, conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and undertake further consultation with all interested and affected parties.


“I urge all stakeholders, as well as interested and affected parties, to take this opportunity to make written submissions. Your feedback matters and is critical to the process,” MEC Diale-Tlabela concluded.



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Issued by the Gautrain Management Agency on behalf of the Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics.


Contact:

Lesiba Mpya
Spokesperson for the MEC for Transport and Logistics
Lesiba.Mpya@gauteng.gov.za

Albi Modise
Gautrain Management Agency, Senior Executive Manager: Communication and Marketing
albim@gautrain.co.za

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GAUTRAIN SERVICE UPDATE BETWEEN ROSEBANK AND PARK STATIONS
16 February 2025

The Gautrain has announced a significant scale-up of its bus services between Rosebank and Park Stations as a contingency measure following the suspension of train operations between these two stations.


The train service between Rosebank and Park Stations remains suspended due to an illegal drilling activity on a private property located above the Gautrain tunnel. 


The Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, visited the site today to assess work currently underway to repair the section of the tunnel affected by the seepage. “Ensuring the safety of passengers remains the primary focus while the repairs are taking place, a Gautrain bus replacement service has been set up between Rosebank and Park Stations,” said Diale-Tlabela.


Buses will run every 15 minutes between the two stations from 05:30 to 20:30 as a contingency measure.


The drilling activity was not approved in accordance with the requirements of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act (GTIA). This illegal activity therefore caused the ingress of water and soil into the tunnel which impacts the ability to operate the system between these two stations.


Gautrain is an 80-kilometre higher-speed commuter rail system in Gauteng, South Africa, which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park, and O.R. Tambo International Airport.  Parts of the rail network runs below ground in tunnels, while the rest of the network runs above ground. The train service continues to operate according to schedule at unaffected stations.


We appreciate our customers’ patience and will continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that this incident is resolved to enable the restoration of the Gautrain’s full services.

The Gautrain apologises for the inconvenience caused by this disruption and hereby commits to keep our customers updated as more information becomes available.

We urge all stakeholders to follow due process when any land use changes or construction activities are planned in the vicinity of transport infrastructure in Gauteng so that such occurrences are prevented in the future.



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Contact:

Albi Modise
Gautrain Management Agency, Senior Executive Manager: Communication and Marketing
albim@gautrain.co.za

Follow Gautrain on:

•Twitter - @TheGautrain
•Facebook – www.facebook.com/gautrain
•Instagram - @TheGautrain
•Website – www.gautrain.co.za
•Call Centre – 0800 42887246
•SMS alert line – 32693


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DISRUPTION TO GAUTRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN PARK AND ROSEBANK STATIONS
15 February 2025

The Gautrain wishes to inform its valued customers of a disruption to its services between Park and Rosebank Stations. This disruption is due to water and soil seeping into the tunnel section of the System.


Gautrain is an 80-kilometre higher-speed commuter rail system in Gauteng, South Africa, which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park and O. R. Tambo International Airport.


Parts of the rail network runs below ground in tunnels, while the rest of the network runs above ground.


Our investigation has established that there was an illegal drilling activity on a private property located above the tunnel. This activity was not approved in accordance with the requirements of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act (GTIA). This illegal activity therefore caused the ingress of water and soil into the tunnel that impacts our ability to operate the system between these two stations.


To mitigate the inconvenience to our passengers, a Gautrain bus replacement service has been set up between Park and Rosebank Stations. This bus service will be increased to accommodate additional passengers as necessary.


We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as we continue our investigations to identify the owners of the private property where the drilling is suspected to have occurred, as well as the remedial measures that will be implemented to enable the restoration of the full Gautrain services.


The Gautrain apologises for the inconvenience caused by this disruption and hereby commits to keep our customers updated as more information becomes available.


We urge all stakeholders to follow due process when any land use changes or construction activities are planned in the vicinity of transport infrastructure in Gauteng so that such occurrences are prevented in the future.


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________________________________________________________________________
Contact:

Albi Modise
Gautrain Management Agency, Senior Executive Manager: Communication and Marketing
albim@gautrain.co.za

Follow Gautrain on:

•Twitter - @TheGautrain
•Facebook – www.facebook.com/gautrain
•Instagram - @TheGautrain
•Website – www.gautrain.co.za
•Call Centre – 0800 42887246
•SMS alert line – 32693


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