In an exclusive interview, Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO, Jack van der Merwe unpacked the details surrounding the new Gautrain expansion that will see new stations in Little Falls, Roodepoort, and possibly Lanseria.
The idea of expanding the Gautrain’s reach has always been in the back of GMA management’s minds, but they were not sure where they would expand to. In 2011 Ismail Vadi, MEC for Roads and Transport in Gauteng instructed GMA to carry out a 25-year integrated transport master plan (ITMP25) for the province.
Read the initial article here:
https://roodepoortnorthsider.co.za/284476/gautrain-proposed-to-expand-to-roodepoort-print-rr-gautrain-proposed-to-expand-to-little-falls-print-rn-gautrain-proposed-to-expand-to-lanseria-print-kn-new-proposed-gautrain-expansion-to/
The ITMP25 brought to light the serious trouble that transport in Gauteng could face in 25 years if the existing infrastructure is not upgraded adequately. Hence, a proposal was made to expand the Gautrain’s reach. Below, we unpack aspects of the ITMP25 and the proposed expansion.
The ITMP25
The studies conducted showed that three shifts need to be made regarding transport in the province: from motorised to non-motorised transport, from private car use to public road-based transport and finally freight and passengers migrating from road to rail. The study projected that the provincial population would reach 18,6 million by 2037 (this number has since been increased to 19,2 million).
The proposal
The ITMP25 showed a need for rail transport from Mamelodi all the way to Soweto. GMA was then instructed to come up with a solution to make rail the backbone of transport in the province. Thirty-one possible locations for Gautrain stations were named, of which a final 19 were selected.
The feasibility study
It incorporated the ITMP25 as well as the proposal. Phase 1 and 2 of the project are currently awaiting National Treasury approval, the proposal having been submitted already in April 2017. This includes new stations in Sandton, Randburg, Cosmo City, Little Falls, Roodepoort and Jabulani. While a response is not likely to be received before the 2019 elections, GMA is hopeful it will be approved. The initial proposal was rather general, but the submitted study was far more detailed.
KPMG 2016 study
A study carried out by KPMG in 2016 showed just how effective the Gautrain has been. It showed that while R25 billion was spent on Gautrain 1, revenue of R47 billion had been collected by the time of the study. It also showed that more than 300 000 jobs had been created.
The Little Falls and Roodepoort stations
The Little Falls station will also become the second Gautrain depot, where trains are housed and serviced. The Little Falls depot is expected to be completed in Phase 1, while the Roodepoort station is expected to be completed in Phase 2. The line between the two stations will go through the Witwatersrand ridge. A team has just been appointed to begin planning the locations of the stations.
Construction
If the expansion is approved after the 2019 elections, 2022 will be the ideal year to start construction. If it starts as planned and goes off without any hiccups, in a very, very perfect world trains could be running on Phase 1 by 2025/ 2026.
Socioeconomic impact
The proposed expansion could create between 200 000 and 300 000 jobs. Roughly estimated between 100 000 and 120 000 new passengers are expected to use the train after Phase 1.
Funding
As with Gautrain 1, there are five main expected sources of income: private sector borrowing, private sector equity, provincial borrowing, national borrowing and the province’s National Transport Fund (NTF) allocation. They will need a sixth source however, which they expect to be value capture.
Phases 3 to 5
The final three phases are all hopes at the moment. If GMA does get funding for these three, the Gautrain will eventually reach Mamelodi, Lanseria, and even Boksburg.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at northsider@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
