Bold new Gautrain plans
Think ahead 18 years to 2037: the population of Gauteng is around 18.7million, there are twice as many cars on the roads, congestion has become so bad that the average speed on a peak-time trip between Pretoria and Joburg is 10km/* and a cloud of pollution hangs over the region.
Step in, the Gautrain and its bold plans outlined at the release of the Gautrain Management Authority’s report on the economic and social impact of Gautrain by GMA and the Gauteng MEC for public transport and road infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, this week.
The report documents the impact the Gautrain has had on the province since 2010, especially for the three major metros of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. Benefits come in terms of job creation, stimulation of the economy, and social benefit for commuters and communities.
In the province, more than half of poorer residents rely on informal transport options such as taxis, or they walk, while car usage is high among wealthier residents. But, Gautrain has shown that given a modern, safe, efficient and reliable transit alternative, opinions shift and people are willing to change their habits.
“With the support of Gautrain, the perception of public transport in Gauteng is changing fundamentally while there may be some reservations about whether or not South Africans will leave their cars at home for the commute, the success of Gautrain has shown many are prepared to do just that,” the report states.
Read the full story on: IOL.