Gauteng SDI Rail Link - Gautrain

2This project will further provide opportunities for SMME’s, for more labourintensive project designs, for creating opportunities to build the partnershipbetween the public and private sectors, and for assisting and promotingtourism – all goals of Government.But then it is also a very important transport project. When he announced theproject, the Premier said that it is part of government’s commitment to easecongestion on the roads, improve the movement of goods and persons, andpromote easy connection between some of the cities in Gauteng.The area between Pretoria and Johannesburg is one of the fastest growingareas in the country, and the potential for further growth is excellent.Additional transport capacity is urgently required, as is evident from thesevere traffic congestion on the freeways and main roads passing through thearea. Such additional capacity should not only be provided through buildingmore roads. It is the explicit policy of Government to promote publictransport, inter alia by ensuring the provision of adequate infrastructure,facilities and services. This project can be a very forceful illustration ofGovernment’s commitment to promote public transport.This project has the potential to assist in improving the image of publictransport in Gauteng and South Africa, of increasing accessibility levels, andof giving structure to development in the area through the integration of landuse and transport. A rail link such as this cannot be successful if propercollector distributor services are not provided at the different stations. Modalintegration, which includes through ticketing, integrated scheduling, integratedinformation systems and proper transfer facilities, will be an important part ofthe project.In this project the co-operation between the different spheres of governmentwill be extremely important and will be an integral part of the study design andexecution. Similarly co-operation with all other stakeholders are considered tobe essential, including representatives of the different modes of transport andpublic transport.Gauteng SDI Rail Link – Inception Report, 15 June 2000