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Gautrain Q&A
07/04/2008 16:32 - (SA)
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| Photo courtesy Gautrain.co.za |
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Cape Town - News24 chatted to Ingrid Jensen from the Gautrain project to find out more about this multi-billion rand development.
Click here to watch a slideshow of artist's impressions and photos from the many construction sites around Gauteng.
Prior the commencement of construction, Gautrain rail link was met with a lot of opposition and criticism. How was this overcome?
A main contribution to Gautrain's success to date has been tremendous Political support. This include Premier Shilowa and the Gautrain political committee: (MEC Ignatius Jacobs, MEC Paul Mashitile, and MEC Dorothy Mahlangu.)
It is also believed that, eventhough it took longer than expected, following the correct Public Private Partnership and Tendering procedure ensured a lot of credibity.
Now construction is well underway, is Gautrain still met with criticism? Largely who are the complainants?
Understandibly there are some complaints from the community close to construction sites resulting from impact of construction. But this has been largely managed by mitigation as prescribed in our Environmental Management Plan. Please find attached.
Gautrain has been called a 'train for the rich'. Please comment on this.
Gautrain is targeted at private car owners. In terms of its objective to decrease traffic congestion - Gautrain aims to provide private car owners an alternate public transport service.
Has Gautrain been well-received by the rest of the transport sector?
Yes - there is an common goal of better transport integration. For example - when constructing and opening the Gautrain Taxi Rank in Sandton there was tremendous support from the Taxi Associations.
Why did estimates of Gautrain's cost increase so drastically from R4 billion in 2002 to R25 billion in 2006? Will this figure keep climbing?
No it cannot - Gautrain is a fix-cost project. Fixed by National Treasury that is. It is also the agreement between the Gauteng Provincial Government and the Bombela Concession Company that they will not charge the Province more that the fixed price.
How much of the cost is paid for out of tax payers' money?
R22 billion
It is said that construction will finish in 2011. Won't ongoing construction be an inconvenience to the 2010 Soccer World Cup? Why weren't plans made to coincide the completion of Gautrain with the world cup?
The link between the airport and Sandton is scheduled to be completed and tested by 2010 - so it will actually convenience the transport of tourists in from the airport.
Gautrain was initiated in 1999 - long before the SWC. It is thus not a world cup project but a system that should service commuters and air passenges for then next 100 years or so.
Are Gautrain developments behind / on / ahead of schedule?
In some areas of construction and geographical areas were are ahead and others behind.
By what date will the trains themselves be ready?
First trains are being tested in Derby, UK in first week in July this year. Others will be constructed during construction of rail reserve and stations. Trains for air passenger service are planned to be ready by 2010.
What (briefly) have been the major challenges and hindrances to Gautrain's development? Please mention the 2007 worker's strike and the powercuts here too. Are there recurring problems on both these issues?
Our biggest problem has been the high rainfall in Gauteng this summer. You can read more about effect of powercuts on Gautrain homepage
How many trains are planned to run/day? How many people are projected to use Gautrain daily?
150 000 passenger trip per weeks day
What are the long term benefits of Gautrain?
The National Land Transport Transition Act of 2000 directs government to actively promote public transport. The Gautrain project illustrates Gauteng Government's commitment in this regard. It also strives to support the priorities of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) which are, amongst others: accelerated economic growth, development and infrastructure delivery.
With the implementation of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project the GPG also strongly considered the improvement of transport and land use co-ordination and the integration of the different modes of transport. An important objective of the project is to alleviate the traffic congestion on existing roads between Johannesburg and Tshwane.
It is Government's policy to promote public transport as an alternative to the prvate car by ensuring the provision of adequate public transport infrastructure, facilities and services.
- News24
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