Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Dr Ismail Vadi says the feasibility study on the possible expansion of the Gautrain rail network has been completed.
The proposed routes under investigation include a link from Lanseria through Honeydew to Sandton, an additional line from Mamelodi, north-east of Pretoria, to Naledi, west of Johannesburg, and extending the service from OR Tambo International Airport to Boksburg.
“Once the political consultation processes are completed with the national government, this report will be made public,” says Vadi.
He also raises the question whether it is sustainable to run two rail commuter systems, namely the Gautrain, a provincial entity, and Metrorail, a national entity, side by side in Gauteng.
“We have two systems running quite separately. We have the Gautrain running on its track and Metrorail running on its track and the only connection is where we have an intermodal facility.
“One is a modern system and one is an ageing system. How can we integrate them? What is our position? What is our perspective? Can we imagine a single rail entity taking responsibility for rail operations in our province?
What would the first steps in that direction be?
It is no longer sustainable to have two separate systems operating side by side with different management structures, different operations and different passenger information support systems.
“We have to look at the first steps towards integration.”