Gautrain... May 2006
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Introduction...
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is a state-of-the-art rapid rail network planned in Gauteng. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Tshwane (Pretoria) and Johannesburg and a link between Johannesburg International Airport and Sandton. Apart from the three anchor stations on these two links, seven other stations will be linked by approximately 80 kilometres of rail along the proposed route.
-The three anchor stations will be located at:
Johannesburg International Airport;
Tshwane; and
Johannesburg.
-The seven other stations will be located at:
Rosebank;
Sandton;
Marlboro;
Midrand;
Centurion;
Hatfield; and
Rhodesfield (Kempton Park).
This modern train will offer international standards of public transport with high levels of safety, reliability, predictability and comfort. Travelling at maximum speeds of 160 to 180 kilometres per hour it will reach Tshwane from Johannesburg in less than 40 minutes. The minimum frequency between Johannesburg and Tshwane will initially be six trains per hour per direction and it will operate approximately 18 hours per day. This public transport service will include dedicated, exclusive bus services to transport passengers to and from stations.
Besides the commuter service, air passengers will have a dedicated service between Johannesburg International Airport and Sandton. This purpose-designed service brings Gauteng in line with global practice which links cities by rail to international airports. Designed with facilities suited to their specific needs, airport passengers will be able to check-in their luggage at Sandton station. The trip between the airport and Sandton station will take less than 15 minutes.
Safety and security of Gautrain passengers and other affected parties are of utmost importance. The safety and security features are extended to other facilities of the services such as the station precinct and vehicle parking areas.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project offers a cost effective, efficient, environmentally friendly and safe solution to some of the worst transport problems in the most densely developed area in Gauteng and indeed South Africa. It also supports many other government objectives.
The Project is now managed as part of the Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Affairs Public Private Partnership Unit. Gautrain was initiated as one of eleven Blue IQ projects of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).
Blue IQ is a multi-billion Rand initiative of the GPG to develop economic infrastructure for specific major projects in smart industries, high value-added manufacturing and tourism. It works in partnership with business and government departments as a catalyst to promote strategic private sector investment in key growth sectors of the Gauteng economy.
The Gautrain project is, therefore, primarily aimed at enhancing and supporting economic growth in the Gauteng Province and generating employment. This project is part of a longer-term vision, which will include a commitment towards creating and sustaining a new culture of public transport usage.
Why a rapid rail system?...
Gauteng, the country’s economic hub, is currently experiencing traffic congestion on its major routes, especially between Tshwane and Johannesburg. The current transport facilities and services between these two cities are mainly road based. The land required for a rapid rail system is far less than that of a road system. Apart from alleviating the severe traffic congestion, economic development will be stimulated by the rapid rail system and it will have distinct environmental advantages over other forms of transport.
The planned Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is aimed at providing an alternative public transport mode to car users and therefore to attract private car-users to the train. This service will help alleviate the congestion on the roads between Johannesburg and Tshwane.
The N1 Freeway currently carries some of the highest traffic volumes in South Africa with more than 157 000 vehicles travelling on it per day and a traffic growth rate of 7% per year. There is currently 300 000 cars per week day in the Tshwane-Johannesburg traffic corridor. It is estimated that approximately one-fifth of Tshwane-Johannesburg commuters will make the switch from travelling by road to travelling by rail. Gautrain should initially transport more than 100 000 passengers per day.
Traffic congestion on the N1 Freeway is currently estimated to cost more than R300 million per year, including production time lost during travelling time, higher transport costs and above average accident rates. Furthermore, traffic congestion impacts negatively on quality of life. Due to emissions from vehicles levels of pollution also increase contentiously.
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Ridership and Fare Structure...
The Gautrain project is largely aimed at commercially active people that need to travel between Johannesburg, Tshwane and Johannesburg International Airport (JIA). Two key market segments are existing motorists and airport passengers.
The existing motorists will be the primary focus because of their large numbers and the importance of achieving a move away from private transport to relieve the increasing congestion on roads such as the Ben Schoeman Freeway. Given the planned network, the Gautrain will also attract airport passengers and workers on the link to JIA.
Forecasts indicate a potential current ridership of about 100 000 passengers per day, which is well over the international norm for a new rail service. An expected annual growth of 4.8% will result in more than 120 000 passengers per day by 2010.
The Gautrain commuter fares will be lower than the perceived cost of using a car. It will, however, be more expensive than existing rail and taxi fares as the new train will offer a higher quality service. Airport passengers’ fare will be higher than the rate per kilometre charged on other services. The fare structure was developed in relation to existing taxi fares, bus fares and private car cost.
Look and Feel...
Although the Gautrain Project Team envisaged a rapid passenger rail system with similar key operational and technical characteristics as listed below, some features may change during the final implementation of the project.
-Approximately 20 train sets will be required at the commencement of the service.
-Each train could consist of a set of three or four cars.
-The commuter services cars will be able to accommodate approximately 80 seated and 20 standing passengers. Trains used for the dedicated airport service will only cater for seated passengers.
-Trains will be able to operate safely and comfortably at speeds of at least 160km/h and higher.
-Operating staff could consist of at least 380 people when the service commences and grow to 480 in ten years. This excludes security staff and staff for the maintenance of the system, as this is expected to be outsourced.
-The International Standard Rail Gauge (1 435 mm between rails) was preferred to the narrower existing Cape Gauge in South Africa. Inter alia because it is safer and more comfortable for speeds of 130 km/h and higher, and will allow for more cost-effective procurement of rolling stock.
-Rails will be continuously welded with pre-cast concrete sleepers and elastic rail fastenings, spaced at 650 mm (centres). Crushed stone ballast will be used on open sections.
-Track in tunnel will be either slab track or concrete sleepers cast in a concrete bed. In both cases the rails will be elastically supported within the slab and the slab elastically supported on the ground, to reduce noise and sound transmission to acceptable levels.
-3kV DC or 25kV AC overhead traction systems will be used. If the AC system is used attention will have to be given to immunization of the existing signalling system used on the SA Rail Commuter Corporation and Spoornet services.
-In-cab signalling is considered to be the most suitable to the Gautrain.
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Introduction...
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is a state-of-the-art rapid rail network planned in Gauteng. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Tshwane (Pretoria) and Johannesburg and a link between Johannesburg International Airport and Sandton. Apart from the three anchor stations on these two links, seven other stations will be linked by approximately 80 kilometres of rail along the proposed route.
-The three anchor stations will be located at:
Johannesburg International Airport;
Tshwane; and
Johannesburg.
-The seven other stations will be located at:
Rosebank;
Sandton;
Marlboro;
Midrand;
Centurion;
Hatfield; and
Rhodesfield (Kempton Park).
This modern train will offer international standards of public transport with high levels of safety, reliability, predictability and comfort. Travelling at maximum speeds of 160 to 180 kilometres per hour it will reach Tshwane from Johannesburg in less than 40 minutes. The minimum frequency between Johannesburg and Tshwane will initially be six trains per hour per direction and it will operate approximately 18 hours per day. This public transport service will include dedicated, exclusive bus services to transport passengers to and from stations.
Besides the commuter service, air passengers will have a dedicated service between Johannesburg International Airport and Sandton. This purpose-designed service brings Gauteng in line with global practice which links cities by rail to international airports. Designed with facilities suited to their specific needs, airport passengers will be able to check-in their luggage at Sandton station. The trip between the airport and Sandton station will take less than 15 minutes.
Safety and security of Gautrain passengers and other affected parties are of utmost importance. The safety and security features are extended to other facilities of the services such as the station precinct and vehicle parking areas.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project offers a cost effective, efficient, environmentally friendly and safe solution to some of the worst transport problems in the most densely developed area in Gauteng and indeed South Africa. It also supports many other government objectives.
The Project is now managed as part of the Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Affairs Public Private Partnership Unit. Gautrain was initiated as one of eleven Blue IQ projects of the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG).
Blue IQ is a multi-billion Rand initiative of the GPG to develop economic infrastructure for specific major projects in smart industries, high value-added manufacturing and tourism. It works in partnership with business and government departments as a catalyst to promote strategic private sector investment in key growth sectors of the Gauteng economy.
The Gautrain project is, therefore, primarily aimed at enhancing and supporting economic growth in the Gauteng Province and generating employment. This project is part of a longer-term vision, which will include a commitment towards creating and sustaining a new culture of public transport usage.
Why a rapid rail system?...
Gauteng, the country’s economic hub, is currently experiencing traffic congestion on its major routes, especially between Tshwane and Johannesburg. The current transport facilities and services between these two cities are mainly road based. The land required for a rapid rail system is far less than that of a road system. Apart from alleviating the severe traffic congestion, economic development will be stimulated by the rapid rail system and it will have distinct environmental advantages over other forms of transport.
The planned Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is aimed at providing an alternative public transport mode to car users and therefore to attract private car-users to the train. This service will help alleviate the congestion on the roads between Johannesburg and Tshwane.
The N1 Freeway currently carries some of the highest traffic volumes in South Africa with more than 157 000 vehicles travelling on it per day and a traffic growth rate of 7% per year. There is currently 300 000 cars per week day in the Tshwane-Johannesburg traffic corridor. It is estimated that approximately one-fifth of Tshwane-Johannesburg commuters will make the switch from travelling by road to travelling by rail. Gautrain should initially transport more than 100 000 passengers per day.
Traffic congestion on the N1 Freeway is currently estimated to cost more than R300 million per year, including production time lost during travelling time, higher transport costs and above average accident rates. Furthermore, traffic congestion impacts negatively on quality of life. Due to emissions from vehicles levels of pollution also increase contentiously.
Ridership and Fare Structure...
The Gautrain project is largely aimed at commercially active people that need to travel between Johannesburg, Tshwane and Johannesburg International Airport (JIA). Two key market segments are existing motorists and airport passengers.
The existing motorists will be the primary focus because of their large numbers and the importance of achieving a move away from private transport to relieve the increasing congestion on roads such as the Ben Schoeman Freeway. Given the planned network, the Gautrain will also attract airport passengers and workers on the link to JIA.
Forecasts indicate a potential current ridership of about 100 000 passengers per day, which is well over the international norm for a new rail service. An expected annual growth of 4.8% will result in more than 120 000 passengers per day by 2010.
The Gautrain commuter fares will be lower than the perceived cost of using a car. It will, however, be more expensive than existing rail and taxi fares as the new train will offer a higher quality service. Airport passengers’ fare will be higher than the rate per kilometre charged on other services. The fare structure was developed in relation to existing taxi fares, bus fares and private car cost.
Look and Feel...
Although the Gautrain Project Team envisaged a rapid passenger rail system with similar key operational and technical characteristics as listed below, some features may change during the final implementation of the project.
-Approximately 20 train sets will be required at the commencement of the service.
-Each train could consist of a set of three or four cars.
-The commuter services cars will be able to accommodate approximately 80 seated and 20 standing passengers. Trains used for the dedicated airport service will only cater for seated passengers.
-Trains will be able to operate safely and comfortably at speeds of at least 160km/h and higher.
-Operating staff could consist of at least 380 people when the service commences and grow to 480 in ten years. This excludes security staff and staff for the maintenance of the system, as this is expected to be outsourced.
-The International Standard Rail Gauge (1 435 mm between rails) was preferred to the narrower existing Cape Gauge in South Africa. Inter alia because it is safer and more comfortable for speeds of 130 km/h and higher, and will allow for more cost-effective procurement of rolling stock.
-Rails will be continuously welded with pre-cast concrete sleepers and elastic rail fastenings, spaced at 650 mm (centres). Crushed stone ballast will be used on open sections.
-Track in tunnel will be either slab track or concrete sleepers cast in a concrete bed. In both cases the rails will be elastically supported within the slab and the slab elastically supported on the ground, to reduce noise and sound transmission to acceptable levels.
-3kV DC or 25kV AC overhead traction systems will be used. If the AC system is used attention will have to be given to immunization of the existing signalling system used on the SA Rail Commuter Corporation and Spoornet services.
-In-cab signalling is considered to be the most suitable to the Gautrain.
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