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Date
: 28/09/2006
Source: Department of Transport
Title: Radebe: Launch of Construction of Gautrain Rapid Rail
Link
Address at the launch of construction of Gautrain Rapid Rail Link,
by Mr Jeff Radebe, MP, Minister of Transport, Marlboro,
Sandton
I am deeply honoured to be part of this auspicious occasion. The
event today promises to deliver a huge economic asset for the
Gauteng Province and the country as a whole. There were many
hurdles along the way but hard work and commitment have finally
paid off.
The Gautrain project is a response to key transport challenges such
as congestion and public transport and has direct spin-offs for the
people of Gauteng. It is therefore critical that we work together
in order to harness the economic benefits and potential of this
asset for the years ahead and in particular for the 2010 World
Cup.
The decision by Cabinet to extend the impact of the original
Gautrain project was based on the notion that transport
infrastructure investment priorities should be linked as closely as
possible to current and planned future patterns of land uses as
well as linkages between the transport modes. The excitement of
today will translate into action, activities that will demonstrate
and deliver an integrated public transport system. The role of this
project must be placed within the context of interlinking the
various modes and nodes within the public transport system for
economic development.
Where we stand today will soon be a hub of public transport
activities resulting in a centre of inter-modal transfers and
commercial activities. It is one of many milestones along the
journey that will bring a world-class rapid rail system to South
Africa for the first time.
This major milestone comes a time when we have also successfully
merged the South Africa Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) and
Metrorail. It is therefore significant to place the Gautrain within
the context of the passenger rail plan, the public transport plan
and the integrated transport planning currently being followed in
the country. A range of further actions are being taken to ensure
that the Gautrain is integrated effectively within the passenger
rail system in Gauteng. The Department of Transport is working
hand-in-hand with the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link on several focus
areas for operational integration including:
* network integration
* intermodal integration at transport nodes
* integration of transport nodes with city precincts
* fare integration
* information integration
* integrated communication
* technical integration
* travel demand management.
Completion of construction of the links between Sandton and the OR
Tambo International Airport and Sandton and Midrand is one of our
priorities in relation to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It is planned
that services will be available every 10 minutes and trains will
operate more than 15 hours a day for the World Cup. Extensive
door-to-door services by means of dedicated feeder and distribution
bus services will be available at each station as part of this
service. For passengers that travel with vehicles to the stations,
safe parking and adequate facilities to stop and drop off train
passengers will be provided.
The Gautrain project has for instance committed the operator to
provide a network of feeder and distribution services linking
various parts of the cities to the main stations. The stations
themselves will provide access arrangements for other transport
modes including parking and drop off facilities for cars.
A number of existing or planned strategic transport interventions
to support the Gautrain as a key catalyst for public transport
transformation are also in the pipeline. These include:
* Joburg Strategic Public Transport Network: Regina Mundi to
Parktown to Sunninghill
* Joburg Strategic Public Transport Network: East West Route
* Joburg City Business District (CBD) inner city distribution
system
* Tshwane CBD inner city distribution system
* Wits regional rail priority corridors including between Joburg
and New Canada in Soweto, Germiston and Katlehong and Joburg to
Germiston, Olifantsfontein and then to Tshwane
* Tshwane regional rail priority corridors including to Mabopane,
Mamelodi and the Pretoria ring rail system
* freeway capacity enhancements with travel demand measures to
promote public transport
* Station development around Gautrain stations as well as other
identified transport nodes e.g. in north of Tshwane.
Through effective operational integration the Gautrain will also
act as a catalyst for the transformation of public transport in
Gauteng in general, whereby the quality of existing services,
vehicles and facilities will be stimulated to improve over time, in
response to higher expectations from travellers linked to improved
levels and quality of service experienced on the Gautrain system
and its station nodes.
In addition, the 2010 Public Transport Infrastructure Fund (PTIF)
of R3,8 billion will also bring about major improvements within the
public transport system, some of which will be integrated into the
Gautrain project.
As we can see, it is simply wrong to confuse the initial narrow
concept of the Gautrain with what we are actually doing today. This
project is much larger, it aims to produce a mass transit system
that will take Gauteng long into the future with buses, taxis,
pedestrians and commuter trains operating in a new context of
rationalised subsidisation and route determination hand in hand
with Gautrain.
I am encouraged by the unanimous interest and even the criticism of
the project that emanated from civil society, political parties and
communities. A project of this nature cannot be cast in stone as it
was previously. As a larger picture unfolds over the next few
years, particularly as the wider geographic spread and nodal
integration that I have referred to becomes a top practical
priority, we shall see refinements that will improve the project as
a whole.
At the end of the day this is not about elite public transport, but
it's about creating a mass transit system that caters for workers
and business people, civil servants and scholars, shoppers and
leisure seekers to get them where they want to be safely, securely
and affordably.
Incidentally, before the end of October the country shall have the
opportunity to see in much greater detail the governments plan in
improving the public transport plan within the broader public
transport plan.
In those few words I want to say, the Gautrain project is just but
one of the many milestones that await South Africans end-users in
the years ahead.
Viva Gautrain viva!
Malikhale ipiki no fosholo malikhale!
Ngiyabonga!
Issued by: Department of Transport
27 September 2006
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