This is not factually correct and the excessive water ingress issue remains unresolved. Last year Bombela was directed by the Dispute Resolution Board to remedy the situation so as to meet the specification for tunnel water inflow as set out in the contract between the Province and Bombela. To date this has not been achieved. What this means is that, while Bombela may be able to manage the excessive quantity of water flowing into the tunnel and provide the train services in the short term, but up to the present time it has not provided any credible assurances to the Province that the excessive amount of water will not cause irreparable, harm to the tunnel itself and the environment around it on the long term.

This is not a risk that the Province has either contracted for or otherwise willing to take because the effect of such risk (either in the long term or otherwise) is entirely unwarranted, especially since it could also lead to exposure to liabilities as well. In this process the Province will not be swayed by Bombela’s short term commercial interests. As such the Province has requested Bombela to develop a revised tunnel rectification plan in order to comply with the specification, as instructed by the Dispute Resolution Board. It cannot and will not agree to something that is clearly contrary to the long term interest of the Province and the public. It has and will continue to engage with Bombela to see if it is practically feasible to have the best of both worlds – for example by opening the system between Rosebank and Park Stations while the tunnel rectification works are done outside of operating hours.

The Province is awaiting a response from Bombela. The speed with which it can develop the revised tunnel rectification plan and the approval thereof will determine the date at which the Rosebank to Park Station section could be opened to the public.

ends

Issued by: Mr. Jack van der Merwe, CEO Gautrain Management Agency
For all queries please contact: Ms. Ingrid Jensen @ 083 457 8715

Ismail Vadi, MEC of Roads & Transport Gauteng

The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Mr. Ismail Vadi condemns the criminal behaviour of a small group of individuals who are acting against Gautrain. If this is proved to be linked to the recent labour unrest and the subsequent dismissal of bus drivers, it will be indeed a sad day for public transport in the Province in specific and for the country in general.

“The shooting of an innocent Gautrain bus driver on Monday 13 March 2012 is of paramount concern to the Province but also very sad”. It is sad because it is not only the bus driver that has been hurt. The unlawful behaviour has a knock-on effect. Not only does this have a negative impact on a macro level on the overall commuter confidence in the Gautrain system but it also affects commuters’ finances and travel plans. It affects thus individual commuters on a micro level.

Mr. Vadi commends the South African Police Services (SAPS) on their speedy arrests of five suspects and urges the Justice system to do its utmost in prosecuting the perpetrators once a fair investigation has taken place

“We are happy to report that the bus driver has recovered and is doing well,” says MEC Vadi. “Thank you to all concerned citizens and frequent passengers who expressed their care and well wishes for the driver.”

The Gautrain bus operating company, Mega Express, is currently in the process of appointing and training new bus drivers for the bus service. All suitably qualified drivers, including drivers previously employed by Mega Express, who have not been involved in criminal activities, may apply.

I would also like to take this opportunity to condemn the incident in Soweto on Thursday where an unlicensed taxi driver took a chance and collided with a train. Two children were critically injured and many others lives’ were put at risk. I make a sincere call on taxi operators to support responsible driving” Vadi concludes.

• Ms Amanda Nair
• Mr Abel Mawela
• Mr Donovan Nadison
• Mr Mogopodi Mokoena
• Ms Doris Dondur
• Ms Motseaoa Alix-Mary Lugemwa
• Prof Wellington Thwala

Vadi designated Nair and Mawela as the chairperson and deputy chairperson respectively of the GMA Board.
The new Board members are appointed in terms of the Gautrain Management Agency Act (No 5 of 2006), and is responsible for managing the business and affairs of the entity.

It must exercise the fiduciary duties and responsibilities of an accounting authority in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act in respect of the GMA and function in a transparent and open manner.

Vadi said that the new Board members are appointed by virtue of their knowledge of or experience in financial and risk management; rail issues; transportation planning; socio-economic development, BBBEE and transformation; legal and compliance skills; and human resource issues.

Vadi thanked the outgoing Board members for their dedication and commitment during their time in office.

· Sandton to Gallo Manor (S2)
· Sandton to Rivonia (S3)
· Sandton to Randburg (S4)
· Sandton to Fourways (S5), and
· Rosebank to Johannesburg CBD (RbTemp).

For the time being buses are running between 06h00 and 18h00. Buses on the Sandton routes will operate at frequencies to meet every second train but the Rosebank/CBD service is operating at scheduled frequencies.

Additional bus routes and service frequencies will be reinstated incrementally as soon as replacement drivers, currently being employed and trained, become available. Customers will be kept fully informed of developments.

Many passengers have requested guidance on possible refund procedures in those instances where they have found it difficult to fully utilize their period product train trips due to the bus strike. Gautrain management is aware of these difficulties and is working on a plan which will seek to be fair and equitable for customers affected due to their reliance on the bus service. Details will be made public in due course.

The Gautrain sincerely thanks customers for their patience and support during this period. Please sms the word “ALERT” to 32693 for service information directly to your mobile.

On the morning of 3rd February the drivers requested an extension of this deadline. In the interests of maximum fairness, Mega Express agreed to extend the deadline to 13h00. Shortly before 13h00, a request was received requesting a further extension. Again, in the interests of maximum fairness, Mega Express agreed to extend the deadline to 16h00. A submission from the drivers was subsequently received.

Following careful consideration of the submission, the management of Mega Express came to the view that the contents of the submission did not provide sufficient grounds to revoke the disciplinary procedure and as a consequence the process to dismiss those drivers involved in the illegal strike has now begun. Approximately 300 drivers are affected.

Mega Express is working hard on plans to re-start at least a skeleton bus service on key routes as soon as possible.

The Gautrain again, sincerely apologizes to passengers for the inconvenience caused by this illegal strike and assures customers that everything possible is being done to re-open the bus service on a reliable and sustainable basis as soon as possible.