Gauteng SDI Rail Link - Gautrain

iEXECUTIVE SUMMARY1. INTRODUCTIONIn his address at the opening of the Gauteng Legislature on 14 February 2000,Premier Mbhazima Shilowa announced the Gauteng SDI Rail Link, as one of tenSpatial Development Initiations (SDI's), which will link Pretoria, Johannesburg andJohannesburg International Airport by rail.The area between Pretoria and Johannesburg is one of the fastest growing areas inthe country. Additional transport capacity is urgently required, as is evident from thesevere traffic congestion on all roads in the area. Such capacity should be providedthrough additional roads and through public transport. Where it is the explicit policyof Government to promote public transport, this project can be a very forceful andnotable illustration of Government’s commitment to achieve that goal.The co-operation between the different spheres of government will be extremelyimportant and will be an integral part of the study. Similarly co-operation with allother stakeholders, including representatives of the transport modes, is essential.A consortium of consultants consisting of Khuthele Projects, Arcus-Gibb and LeboneEngineering was appointed on 26 April 2000 to assist Gautrans with the execution ofthe project. Gibb-Rail, a leading international railway consultancy based in the UK,will provide support. Khuthele Projects will lead the consulting team.Gautrans itself will be intimately involved in the execution of the project. The HOD,Mr. Jack van der Merwe, will lead the project. Progress reports will be submitted tothe MEC for Transport and Public Works, Min. Khabisi Mosunkutu, who will report tothe Provincial Cabinet and the Premier on a regular basis. This project will beundertaken in close collaboration with the Department of Finance and EconomicAffairs and its SDI Co-ordinator.2. BACKGROUND INFORMATIONThe fast growing Johannesburg–Pretoria corridor clearly demonstrates theinteraction between transport, land-use and economic development. However,recently it became evident that although many companies have located here,insufficient public transport is available for people who cannot afford cars or privatetransport, and also that the increasing road traffic congestion may soon start tostrangle the development rate.Representatives have approached Gautrans from countries such as Germany,France and Japan, who all indicated that a rail system in this corridor appears to befeasible, and that they would like to investigate the opportunities that such a railsystem would offer.Gauteng SDI Rail Link – Inception Report, 15 June 2000