Gautrain Management Agency CEO Tshepo Kgobe assumed his role as of February 1, following the company’s announcement to this effect in September last year.

He previously served as COO of Gautrain since 2020 and has diverse technical expertise in infrastructure, energy, mining and rail. Notably, he was responsible for the engineering and project management of Gautrain’s trackwork subsystem.

Kgobe succeeded William Dachs, who stepped down on January 31.

Kgobe takes over at a time when Gautrain has gone to market to invite bids for the next concessionaire to operate the Gautrain system, ahead of the Bombela Concession Company’s contract coming to an end in 2026.

The new delivery partner will operate, maintain, modernise, innovate and upgrade the current Gautrain system so that it continues to provide a safe and efficient public transport service.

Kgobe will also be involved in Gautrain’s extension project to add 150 km of rail to the existing 80 km network.

In this regard, the route determination of Phase 1 of the proposed extensions from Marlboro station to Little Falls station has been finalised.

“We want to maintain the high levels of operational efficiency and clean governance that have seen the Gautrain record 11 consecutive clean audit outcomes. We also want to move the operations of the agency to be self- funding and self-sustaining by reducing the reliance on the fiscus,” says Kgobe.

Gautrain is also looking at property development around its stations where it already has rights. It aims to partner with developers to create business, and retail and social hubs supported by an integrated, affordable public transport system.

Gautrain also has a new board in place from January 1, comprising chairperson Mfanelo Patrick Ntsobi, deputy chairperson Malebo Matolong, Tebogo Nancy Seale, Lungile Mtiya, Mamela Luthuli, Desmond Khalid Golding, Kgotso Maja, Irvin Bafana Sibisi and Bongisizwe Mpondo.