Gautrain is a form of public transport that is integrated with taxis, trains, planes and busses. Public transport comprises any transport system in which passengers do not travel in their own vehicles - in other words, any system that transports members of the general public.
Public transport has several benefits:
• costs less to the community,
• needs less urban space,
• is less energy-intensive,
• pollutes less,
• is the safest mode,
• improves accessibility to jobs, and
• offers mobility for all.
Public transport also offers many solutions to daily commuters faced with traffic congestion and the high cost of maintaining a private car.
Problem: Traffic congestion causes a loss in productivity and high petrol consumption Traffic congestion is increasingly eroding our quality of life. Congestion costs the country at least R1 billion per year in lost time, accidents and medical expenses.
Solution: Public transport costs less to the community Commuters who rely on public transport are shielded against constant increases in the petrol price. As a transport mode, Gautrain will not be affected by fluctuations in the petrol price.
An independent Cost Benefit Analysis specialist also indicated that:
• Gautrain will save 585 000 vehicle km per day.
• Total accident cost savings will be R475 million p.a.
• Gautrain will save R3 845 million per year in vehicle operating costs by the year 2030 (2003 Rand values).
• Gautrain will save R7 114 million p.a. in time costs for passengers travelling between Johannesburg and Tshwane by
2030 (2003 Rand value).
Problem: Not everybody has access to transport.
The Department of Transport is working to improve and expand infrastructure and, through subsidies, to reduce the costs of public transport. By the end of October 2006, the Minister of Transport, Mr Jeff Radebe, announced that the 2010 Transport Action Agenda had been developed and that the World Cup Public Transport Infrastructure and Systems Fund had allocated the first round of funding to municipalities.
Government has set aside R3,8 billion for public transport infrastructure for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. These funds are meant to leverage other funds available to develop public-transport infrastructure. The following allocations were approved:
• R1,6 billion for capital-expenditure projects for 2010
• R200 million for intelligent transport systems
• R700 million for new and improved bus and taxi infrastructure
• R144 million for new intermodal interchanges and facilities
An additional R5 billion a year is needed to address the decline in service levels and to implement government’s transport strategy to achieve a sustainable rapid mass publictransport system over the next 10 to 15 years. Gautrain is an integrated transport solution consisting of train and bus feeder services to transport passengers up to 15 kilometres from stations. Utilising smart cards, Gautrain passengers will use just one ticket for parking, the train trip and busses. Commuters using their cars can park safely at the stations with ample parking being constructed. As a public transport mode, Gautrain will provide fast, safe and reliable access to transport.
Solution: Integrated public transport enables commuters to use a combination of busses, trains and taxis to reach their destinations
Problem: More people rely on cars for transport in metropolitan cities
Cities are becoming more populated than ever before. Relying on private cars as the major form of transport, traffic congestion is spiralling out of control. National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) figures showed that a total of 56 341 new vehicles were sold in March 2006, up 29,1% from March 2005. As a result of the record sales, Naamsa revised its growth projections for 2006 from 10% to between 15% and 20%. There are 300 000 cars in the Johannesburg-Tshwane traffic corridors per day. It will increase by 7% per year. In Johannesburg alone, there are 3.2- million people.
Solution: Cities become welcoming and dynamic when freed from congestion 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. Gautrain brings global solutions in public transport to Gauteng.
www.gautrain.co.za
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