Improving transport a step in the right direction
The DA welcomes any step that improves public transport in Gauteng.
“The announcement by the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) that a feasibility study is to be carried out on expanding the Gautrain network should certainly be considered,” says Gauteng DA spokesperson on Roads and Transport, Dr Neil Campbell MPL.
According to Campbell, it is imperative that in carrying out the study, the requirements for all public transport must be met.
These include reliability, safety and punctuality and most importantly, accessibility and affordability.
“Whilst Gautrain performs well in the former three areas, the latter two are not its strong point,” says Campbell.
Campbell, however, asks whether the same expansion can’t be performed by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) at more affordable rates.
“The issue of running two non-compatible rail gauges in South Africa means that we are developing a system which cannot truly integrate with the far larger Prasa network.
“Prasa certainly transports passengers far more cheaply than Gautrain.”
Campbell says that on completion of the feasibility study, full public participation must be undertaken before the Gauteng taxpayer has to cough up more ridership guarantees (about R800-million this year) which comes directly from the meagre R6.1-billion provincial Roads and Transport budget.
“A world class isolated underground system may be unaffordable in a province with decaying roads,” concludes Campbell.
* The Advertiser previously reported on the Ekurhuleni Bus Services new bus routes from Boksburg to the Gautrain Station, at Rhodesfield, in Kempton Park.
The buses are available during weekdays from Katlehong, Reiger Park and Vosloorus.
For detailed pick-up/drop-off points and for the route description, contact the Germiston Bus depot on 011 999 0125 or 011 999 0406 or 011 999 0127 or 011999 5583.
* The Gautrain Rhodesfield Station also has two new bus routes to/from Kempton Park and Emperors Palace.
There are no routes from the Boksburg CBD.
Dr Barbara Jensen, from Gautrain, says that from Boksburg the option would be to take the Metrorail service to Rhodesfield Station or to Johannesburg Park station, then transfer onto the Gautrain service.
Users can download the Gautrain App or visit www.gautrain.co.za or call the call centre on 0800 428 87246 for more information on fares and Gautrain services. – @IschkeBoksburg
