Posted on Sep 14, 2006 in Media Releases
The Gauteng Provincial Government and Bombela have made good progress with Financial Closure and towards the signing of the Concession Agreement. The negotiation process is quite a lengthy and complex process. During December agreements have been reached on several major issues and some of the negotiations are continuing into January to finalise outstanding issues. Construction is due to commence on signing of the Concession Agreement.
MEC Ignatius Jacobs, Gauteng MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works, said today that “Good progress is being made on Financial Closure and I am confident that closure will be achieved so that the Gautrain timetable can be met. Discussions with National Department of Transport regarding the integration of Gautrain into existing public transport systems, as requested by Cabinet, are proceeding well. These include aspects of strategic integration such as land use and development around the stations; and aspects of operational integration such as ensuring that there is sufficient transport to and from the station for commuters and integrated ticketing.”
The construction of Gautrain consists of two phases that will run concurrently.
- Phase One is the airport link from Johannesburg International Airport to Sandton, and from Sandton to Pretoria station that will take 48 months to complete. There is no risk that this phase will not be ready for the Soccer World Cup.
- Phase Two includes two sections – Pretoria station to Hatfield and Sandton station to Johannesburg Park Station. The estimated construction time is 54 months. The Province and Bombela will investigate whether it is possible that this can be accelerated.
Jacobs added: “We are working very hard towards getting the best deal possible that will be reflected in the Concession Agreement to be signed by the Gauteng Provincial Government and Bombela. The Province will continue with these negotiations with Bombela until we have the deal right – this is a fixed-price turnkey project. No issues can be left unresolved as it can result in unexpected costs. The Gautrain Project has to be completed within the financial limits set by Government and therefore we need to resolve all issues before we reach Financial Closure. This is an agreement that the Gauteng Province will have to live with for the next 20 years and we have to get it right now – there is no second chance.”
Ends
Issued on behalf of: MEC Ignatius Jacobs
Issued by: Barbara Jensen
barbara@gautrain.co.za
05 January 2006
Construction Update
- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – JUNE AND JULY August 26, 2011A) CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION AND THE START OF PHASE 2 OPERATIONS On 02 August 2011 the second phase of the Gautrain System – the route linking Rosebank Station in Johannesburg to Hatfield Station in Tshwane – was opened for commercial service. This follows the initial launch of Gautrain services on 08 June 2010, just three days […]
