Gautrain, an initiative of the Gauteng Province Government (GPG) initiated in 2000, is a state-of-art rapid rail network in Gauteng. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Tshwane and Johannesburg and a link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton.

The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) was established in 2006, in terms of the  GMA Act 5 of 2006. Critical to the GMA  mandate is to ensure that the Gautrain System operates in a sustainable manner with a clear commitment to governance and the GPG’s primary economic objectives. The GMA strategy is also aligned to relevant points of the Gauteng Premier’s initiative to bring about transformation, modernisation and re-industrialisation in Gauteng.

To give effect to these strategic Provincial initiatives and to continue in its mandated role related to the current Gautrain Concession, the strategy of the GMA is to continue managing, co-ordinating and overseeing the operation and maintenance of the Gautrain Project and to plan and implement the extension of the System to accommodate future demand and new services as identified in the Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25) for Gauteng. 

The GMA Board is committed to ensuring that the Gautrain operates in a sustainable manner with clear commitment to governance and in support of Provincial Government’s economic and social imperatives.

Since its initiation, numerous achievements have been reached in line with the Project’s objectives.  These include firstly Socio-Economic Development (SED) achievements but also a positive impact on the economy at large. In addition, the System operates at a world-class operational efficiency.

Operational Efficiency

Whilst running approximately 6,700 train trips monthly, performance norms for availability and punctuality of the train service are mostly at 98.5% and 95% respectively – providing an efficient public transport option for people in the Province. To date, together with the support of its bus service, there has been approximately 105 million passenger rail trips and 32 million bus trips since the commencement of Gautrain’s operations.

Socio Economic Development Achievements

The unique nature of the Gauteng Province demands strategic development approaches. Investment in people has always been one of Government’s core strategies that have been pursued since 1994. Gautrain has presented Gauteng with an opportunity to empower its citizens and to expand the economic activity of the Province.

The implementation of Gautrain’s broad-based SED strategy ensures that SED remains a cornerstone of Gautrain.  The strategy focuses on two important concepts:

• Local skills development and capacity building; and
• Job creation.

Economic Impact of the Gautrain Project

An assessment of the economic impact of the Gautrain Project was conducted independently by Hatch in early 2019. 

The initial results have shown that the Gautrain has:

• Delivered jobs and economic growth - Gautrain created 35,000 direct job opportunities during construction and 10,900 direct operational 
• jobs after the start of operations includes up to (87 000 indirect and induced jobs).
• Influenced transport choices - Each trip on Gautrain instead of a car delivers R78 in economic benefit.
• Shaped patters of development - New commercial floorspace within two kilometers of Gautrain Stations will yield 64,500 jobs.
• Facilitated regional development – Seventy percent of all trips on the Gautrain cross a city boundary.
• Changed perceptions of Gauteng - Foreign Direct Investment into Gauteng increased to over R44 billion in 2016 – the highest recorded since 2003.

The Gautrain Project has shown that a well-planned project does not only create value during construction and implementation but can continue to improve the quality of the lives of the people through saving time and a reduction in emissions, thus contributing to a greener Gauteng. The Gautrain has not only contributed to the economy of the Province but continues to improve the image of public transport in our province and beyond.

Three main categories of expansion works are anticipated: 

The GMA has been expanding and improving the existing Gautrain System with, for example, enhancing station parking capacity. 

Three main categories of expansion works are anticipated:

• Unlocking development – new stations at Modderfontein, Samrand and Waterfall as well as the commercialisation of Centurion and Marlboro Stations.
• Enhancing station access in terms of parking at Rosebank, Hatfield and Pretoria Stations.
• Improving Line Capacity – additional rolling stock, additional depot and operator facilities, upgrades to System capacity, additional buses and a Y-link to connect Northern part of the System directly to OR Tambo International Airport.

Extension plans

The GMA is also planning to extend the Gauteng Rapid Rail network via the construction of new track and stations.  The system will expand across the Gauteng Province and support better integration.  The proposal is to construct 149 kilometers of new dual track and 19 news stations.  It will involve extensions to all three existing routes and will be implemented in phases.