Gautrain cares for the environment

Considering that traffic volumes are escalating by 7% per year in the economically active corridor between Johannesburg and Tshwane, carbon dioxide emissions from private cars will increasingly contribute to global warming. And as the influx of people to the economic powerhouse of the country intensifies, precious green areas will have to make way for parking bays, wider roads and urban sprawl. This will further result in traffic gridlocks unless reliable public transport solutions are combined with sustainable, high-density urban planning.

Travelling by rail reduces your contribution to climate change. Emissions of CO2 per passenger/Km are, on average, approximately half that of travel by car. Gautrain will considerably reduce air pollution generated by transport and it is anticipated that Gautrain will reduce CO2 emissions by about 70 tons.

It is estimated that Gautrain will reduce the traffic congestion between Johannesburg and Tshwane by 20%. Access to integrated public transport will provide the only sustainable solution as more people want to live in the city.

Public transport produces 95% less carbon monoxide, 90% less in volatile organic compounds and about half as much carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide per passenger-km as private vehicles.

It is not energy efficient to carry an average of 1.3 people in a car which itself weights more than 1 000kg. Private cars consume three times more energy and produce three times more carbon dioxide per passenger than public transport. Public transport can achieve significant energy savings and lessen our dependence in imported fuel and oil. Public transport users save about R5 000 in fuel per year.

During the construction of Gautrain, special care is taken to protect natural resources, communities and our valuable heritage. Construction sites are continuously monitored and regular meetings are held with affected communities. Control measures are enforced according to Gautrain’s Environmental Management Plan as required by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment.