GAUTRAIN – PART OF A HOLISTIC PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK

Gautrain has its unique place in the provincial transport network and is not in competition with any other transport mode.  As a heavy rail mode, Gautrain has a backbone function in the transport system.  Each mode of transport has its own function in a holistic transport network and needs to be fully integrated with each other.

Some of Gautrain’s unique characteristics include:

• A dedicated right-of-way
• an ultimate capacity of more than 60 000 passengers/hour
• station spacing 5 – 8 km
• maximum speed 160 kph
• an inter-urban intra-region service
• a focus on current car users, providing them with a feasible alternative (aimed initially to take at least 20% of car users off the road)

Future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems will be integrated with the Gautrain and its feeder services.  The BRT characteristics include:

• Dedicated and shared right-of-way
• normal capacities up to 20 000 passengers/hour
• bus stop spacing: 500m – 800m
• maximum speed 100 kph
• intra-urban service

Similarly taxi systems, municipal bus systems and other transport systems each have particular characteristics and will each have a specific place and role in an integrated holistic network.  Integration with these systems will take place at each of the Gautrain stations, except at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), where integration with air travel will take place.