The release of the salary survey by Kelly explains why the highway between Pretoria and Johannesburg becomes a garage every morning and afternoon. It also gives an indication of how much people would be willing to pay for Gautrain tickets.
Based on the salary survey, Johannesburg North based companies pay staff around 20% more than Pretoria companies do. For general office staff and administrative positions earning around R10 000 a month, that equates to an additional R2 000 a month. But recruitment firms say it is not only salary people are travelling for, but also the fact that Johannesburg attracts the more prestigious firms which look good on the CV.
When the Gautrain project was launched in 2006, a one-way ticket between Pretoria and Johannesburg was expected to be around R20. That would equate to R880 a month for a round ticket. Even if that is increased and commuters pay R1000 a month, it will be worth travelling to the city of gold for work - especially compared to driving.
It is surprising that people commute at all. At present petrol prices a commuter between the two cities would spend around R60 a day in petrol and once the toll system is fully in place will pay around R45 a day in tolls. That would cost around R2 310 a month - that is a big bite out of anyone's salary.
There are of course still costs to parking and getting from the station to work that need to be added in to the financial calculation but it is probably frustration levels that will ensure Gautrain is a success. People are now prepared to take the lower salaries to work closer to home rather than lose four hours a day to traffic jams. One recruitment agent told Moneyweb that she has seen people actually leave their jobs and risk unemployment because they could not stand another day of Ben Schoeman's hell.
If ticket prices stay within reason, it seems the success of Gautrain is a no brainer.
via
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Gautrain 2010 decision to be made in October – Van der Merwe
On Tuesday it was still unclear whether the R25,4-billion Gautrain rapid-rail project would be completed in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO Jack van der Merwe said the Bombela consortium, responsible for the project's construction, had indicated that it might be technically feasible to complete the project in time for the June 11 kick-off, but that this was not a certainty.
The project's phase one – the link between the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) and Sandton – was not contractually scheduled to be completed until the end of June.
However, government had previously indicated the need to complete the project in time for the global sports event.
Van der Merwe said it seems as if Bombela would be able to tell GMA in mid-October whether it would be able to wrap up phase one in May.
“So, by the middle of October we will know whether we must pay extra to have the link completed. Then we will also have to decide whether it is worth the money and, if so, where we will find the money.”
Van der Merwe told Parliament's portfolio committee on transport earlier in the day that GMA would not pay an “unreasonable amount” to the Bombela consortium to accelerate the project for a four-week-long event.
“It was never said that this was a soccer project. This train has to run for another 100 years. You cannot spend this kind of money on a four-week event,” news agency Sapa quoted Van der Merwe as saying.
The Gautrain project was announced in January 2000. South Africa was awarded the World Cup in April 2004.
Van der Merwe said 125 buses would be ready to transport passengers from the airport to their hotels should the train not be ready in time.
Phase two of the Gautrain project was scheduled for completion in March 2011, ultimately linking Johannesburg, Tshwane and ORTIA.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
2010: Gautrain may not be ready
Cape Town - The R25bn Gautrain project may not be ready in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the project's chief executive told Parliament on Tuesday.
Jack Van der Merwe told Parliament's portfolio committee on transport that the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) would not pay an "unreasonable amount" to the Bombela consortium to accelerate the project for a four-week-long event.
"There has to be value for money. If we have to pay an unreasonable amount, the answer is no," Van der Merwe said.
"It was never said that this was a soccer project. This train has to run for another 100 years.
"You cannot spend this kind of money on a four week event."
The World Cup is due to run from June 11 to July 11.
Costs
The Gautrain project was announced in January 2000. South Africa was awarded the World Cup in April 2004.
Van der Merwe did not know how much it would cost to accelerate the construction work to May 27.
The GMA was negotiating with Bombela.
He said any extra costs would have to be paid by the provincial or national government.
The costs would not be passed on to passengers through increased ticket fares, which are expected to cost between 50 and 60 cents a kilometre or R20 for a trip from Johannesburg to Pretoria.
Van der Merwe said 125 buses would be ready to transport passengers from the airport to their hotels should the train - which will run from the airport to central Johannesburg and Pretoria - not be ready in time.
'Carrot' for motorists
Van der Merwe said the Gautrain would be "carrot" for motorists using the Ben Schoeman highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The train journey between central Johannesburg and Hatfield in Pretoria will take approximately 38 minutes and will cost commuters between R800 and R1 000 a month.
Traffic congestion and a R1 000 a month toll fee to be introduced on the highway would be the "stick".
"People will be stuck in traffic on the Ben Schoeman and they will see a train shoot past and they'll think maybe I made a mistake.
"Then five minutes later they'll see another train and they'll think I really did make a mistake."
via
Jack Van der Merwe told Parliament's portfolio committee on transport that the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) would not pay an "unreasonable amount" to the Bombela consortium to accelerate the project for a four-week-long event.
"There has to be value for money. If we have to pay an unreasonable amount, the answer is no," Van der Merwe said.
"It was never said that this was a soccer project. This train has to run for another 100 years.
"You cannot spend this kind of money on a four week event."
The World Cup is due to run from June 11 to July 11.
Costs
The Gautrain project was announced in January 2000. South Africa was awarded the World Cup in April 2004.
Van der Merwe did not know how much it would cost to accelerate the construction work to May 27.
The GMA was negotiating with Bombela.
He said any extra costs would have to be paid by the provincial or national government.
The costs would not be passed on to passengers through increased ticket fares, which are expected to cost between 50 and 60 cents a kilometre or R20 for a trip from Johannesburg to Pretoria.
Van der Merwe said 125 buses would be ready to transport passengers from the airport to their hotels should the train - which will run from the airport to central Johannesburg and Pretoria - not be ready in time.
'Carrot' for motorists
Van der Merwe said the Gautrain would be "carrot" for motorists using the Ben Schoeman highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria.
The train journey between central Johannesburg and Hatfield in Pretoria will take approximately 38 minutes and will cost commuters between R800 and R1 000 a month.
Traffic congestion and a R1 000 a month toll fee to be introduced on the highway would be the "stick".
"People will be stuck in traffic on the Ben Schoeman and they will see a train shoot past and they'll think maybe I made a mistake.
"Then five minutes later they'll see another train and they'll think I really did make a mistake."
via
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
GAUTRAIN COACH INTERIORS MADE IN WALES
Gautrain rolling stock incorporates material supplied by Precision Cast Components (PCC), a company based in Newport, Wales. In its factory, PCC has fabricated the interior panelling for all 96 coaches. The contract has meant expansion, which has been funded to the tune of £160,000 by the Corus group subsidiary UK Steel Enterprise.
Managing director of PCC Mark Isaac, pleased to have won such a prestigious contract, was quoted saying: “Bombardier has the contract for the whole railway, and we have worked closely with them for many years on projects around the world”.
PCC is now the biggest supplier of rail interiors in the UK. It has supplied the Kowloon and Canton Railway in Hong Kong, and in the UK the Southern Rail and Virgin companies have placed substantial orders with the firm.
Mr Isaac said: “Bombardier knows that we will provide high quality products, and that our manufacturing techniques are constantly being improved and updated. “They also know we will deliver on time, bearing in mind that Gautrain faces a tight timetable to be ready for the World Cup.”
The Welsh press reported excitedly: “Fans at next year’s World Cup in South Africa will be transported on ultra-modern trains built with the help of Precision Cast Components (PCC), a company based in Newport, Wales.”
[ In fact, Gautrain’s main-line to Pretoria will not be open until mid-2011 and even the line to the airport is not scheduled for completion until several weeks after the games start in early June 2010. - via
Managing director of PCC Mark Isaac, pleased to have won such a prestigious contract, was quoted saying: “Bombardier has the contract for the whole railway, and we have worked closely with them for many years on projects around the world”.
PCC is now the biggest supplier of rail interiors in the UK. It has supplied the Kowloon and Canton Railway in Hong Kong, and in the UK the Southern Rail and Virgin companies have placed substantial orders with the firm.
Mr Isaac said: “Bombardier knows that we will provide high quality products, and that our manufacturing techniques are constantly being improved and updated. “They also know we will deliver on time, bearing in mind that Gautrain faces a tight timetable to be ready for the World Cup.”
The Welsh press reported excitedly: “Fans at next year’s World Cup in South Africa will be transported on ultra-modern trains built with the help of Precision Cast Components (PCC), a company based in Newport, Wales.”
[ In fact, Gautrain’s main-line to Pretoria will not be open until mid-2011 and even the line to the airport is not scheduled for completion until several weeks after the games start in early June 2010. - via
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
OR Tambo runs short of fuel
Johannesburg - OR Tambo International Airport has only about two days of fuel supply left, and airlines have been asked to reduce their fuel uptake, Business Day reported on Tuesday.
This is apparently because of slow delivery by Transnet and the temporary shutdown of the Natref fuel pipeline at the weekend.
"We have put steps in place to ensure we do not run out of fuel," Chris Zweigenthal, the deputy chief executive of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, told the daily.
The global benchmark is about five-and-a-half days of fuel reserves, he said.
Dave Scagell, operations manager at Chevron Global Aviation, the managing partner co-ordinating fuel supply at OR Tambo International, said it was not the first time the airport had experienced fuel shortages.
"The main thing is to ensure that we take steps to prevent the airport running out of fuel. That is why we have asked the airlines to reduce their uplift where possible," said Scagell.
The report said airlines were asked to reduce their fuel uptake by 30% and to refuel elsewhere.
- SAPA
This is apparently because of slow delivery by Transnet and the temporary shutdown of the Natref fuel pipeline at the weekend.
"We have put steps in place to ensure we do not run out of fuel," Chris Zweigenthal, the deputy chief executive of the Airlines Association of Southern Africa, told the daily.
The global benchmark is about five-and-a-half days of fuel reserves, he said.
Dave Scagell, operations manager at Chevron Global Aviation, the managing partner co-ordinating fuel supply at OR Tambo International, said it was not the first time the airport had experienced fuel shortages.
"The main thing is to ensure that we take steps to prevent the airport running out of fuel. That is why we have asked the airlines to reduce their uplift where possible," said Scagell.
The report said airlines were asked to reduce their fuel uptake by 30% and to refuel elsewhere.
- SAPA
Monday, August 3, 2009
8 Fun facts you probably did not know about the Gautrain
1. The first public passenger trip was made on 3 February 2009 by 150 people on a 3km test track at the depot.
2. Fifteen cars will be manufactured and assembled by Bombardier in Derby and the remaining cars will be assembled by UCW Partnership (Union Carriage & Wagon Co. (Pty) Ltd) in South Africa using structural components made in Britain.
3. Gautrain will consist of 24 trains, each made up with four cars linked together: nineteen trains will service the commuter network and five trains will service the airport link
4. The train is expected to cut the number of cars on the N1 Ben Schoeman Highway highway by 20%, with 100,000 daily passenger trips.
5. On July 8, 2008, the first four-car train set was handed over to the Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa
Mbhazima Shilowa
6. 65 road intersections will be upgraded during construction.
7. More than six million cubic metres of soil will have to be moved and disposed of.
8. Gautrain will operate from 05:30 to 20:30.
2. Fifteen cars will be manufactured and assembled by Bombardier in Derby and the remaining cars will be assembled by UCW Partnership (Union Carriage & Wagon Co. (Pty) Ltd) in South Africa using structural components made in Britain.
3. Gautrain will consist of 24 trains, each made up with four cars linked together: nineteen trains will service the commuter network and five trains will service the airport link
4. The train is expected to cut the number of cars on the N1 Ben Schoeman Highway highway by 20%, with 100,000 daily passenger trips.
5. On July 8, 2008, the first four-car train set was handed over to the Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa
Mbhazima Shilowa
6. 65 road intersections will be upgraded during construction.
7. More than six million cubic metres of soil will have to be moved and disposed of.
8. Gautrain will operate from 05:30 to 20:30.
Gautrain’s 15-km-long tunnel nears completion
Around 14 km of the 15-km-long tunnel of the multibillion-rand Gautrain rapid rail project has been completed.
The underground route of the Gautrain stretches from Johannesburg’s Park station to Parktown Ridge and on to Rosebank, Sandton, to where it surfaces at the Marlboro portal.
Construction of the train depot facilities, including the train system administration buildings and operations control centre, located in Midrand, is also complete.
This centre will be the heartbeat of the Gautrain, from where signalling, telecommunications, automatic fare collection, traction power and overhead distribution will be managed.
The Gautrain, which government esti- mates will carry 300 000 passengers a day by 2011, will see a minimum of six trains an hour running in peak times between Johannesburg, Tshwane and OR Tambo International Airport by 2011.
Friday, July 31, 2009
This is not an ATM bombing
Four buildings are imploded in the Joburg CBD to make way for a new 12 level parkade for the Gautrain:
Businesses around Centurion
Interested in advertising your business on a website with loads of info and photos on the Gautrain? Visit GautrainOnline and have a look at our advertising rates. There are still some limited spaces left for banner advertising. Both GautrainOnline and this blog will be geared to attract thousands of internet visitors every day as from the first of September 2009.
For now there are some free advertising up for grabs as well. Get in there early as only a limited amount of advertisers will enjoy this benefit.
For now there are some free advertising up for grabs as well. Get in there early as only a limited amount of advertisers will enjoy this benefit.
Property speculators bet on Gautrain
Areas located directly around future Gautrain stations are attracting great interest when it comes to property development, especially speculative offices, retail and mixed-use property developments.
Fran Teagle, Broll Property Group's Director of Commercial Broking for Gauteng, points out that the speculative development taking place in these locations shows confidence in Gauteng's future by the property sector and symbolises the important role that the Gautrain stations are expected to play in our society.
"As public transport hubs, these locations are ideal for staff intensive businesses and many property developers are creating buildings with large floor plates to accommodate cleverly designed open plan offices which provide working spaces at 10sqm to 15sqm per person," says Teagle. This is much more compact than the previous norm of about 20sqm per person.
Usually this would put pressure on the parking that building owners need to provide, but Teagle notes that as Gautrain stations will create public transport exchanges, the onerous need for extensive parking is alleviated.
In proximity to the new Rosebank Gautrain Station, The Firs is being redeveloped and expanded by Investec Property. Tiber's beautiful new AAA grade office tower set to be complete mid 2010, will also contribute to creating landmarks for the area as well a number of older properties which have been owned for years by Old Mutual.
There are a number of office blocks planned to go up around the site of the future Sandton Gautrain Station, with some already under construction. In addition, superbly located to the Gautrain station, Sandton City is forging ahead with its repositioning for which the first phase of the expansion and redevelopment is pegged at some R1,77 billion.
Furthermore, it seems that electricity constraints have been prioritised, with council having provided supply to a number of new developments in the area.
"This has been a constraint, especially in Midrand where a number of developments are earmarked around the new Gautrain station that will serve this area, but progress is finally being made," says Teagle.
East of Johannesburg in Ekhuruleni, which will feature both the Airport and Rhodesfield Gautrain Stations, development activity is already picking up in the established business nodes of Jet Park and Isando, as well as the emerging area of Pomona in Kempton Park. In addition to the Gautrain stations, these areas are superbly served with good highway access, as well as railway and shuttle services.
Around the OR Thambo Airport there is already 40,000sqm committed for development, both turnkey and speculative. Alongside the Rhodesfield Gautrain station site, development plans are afoot for 80 000m² of hotel, offices and retail which will link into the station and across to the airport.
In Tshwane, Centurion is also blossoming around the site of the future Gautrain station, with plenty of development activity already underway.
Teagle believes that those who are embracing the opportunities that the Gautrain stations promise, will be in the pound seats.
"Those who are taking the opportunity and developing now are not undertaking wild speculative development but rather taking a clever risk. The Gautrain is going to have a massive impact on how we live, work, shop and travel and, as with any new real opportunity, those developers who have taken the initiative first, stand the best chance of enjoying the benefits."
Nearly three years on, less than 12 months remain to ensure a 15-minute journey between Sandton and the airport
The Gautrain rapid rail project has already been under construction for close to three years, with 10 500 people working on around 50 sites dotted across Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.
Construction on the project started at the end of September 2006.
The 45-month first phase comprises the network between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, and includes the stations at OR Tambo International Airport, Rhodesfield, Marlboro and Sandton, together with the depot and operations control centre located near Allandale road, in Midrand.
The second phase, which is being constructed concurrently, will be completed in 54 months, taking the project to 2011. It includes the remainder of the rail network and stations linking Sandton and Park station, in Johannesburg, and the route from Midrand to Hatfield, in Pretoria.
The rail project is being constructed by the Bombela consortium, which will also operate it for a 15-year concession period.
There remains only a little bit more than ten months of the contracted 45-month period to complete the first phase of the R25,4-billion project.
Around 3 km of twin track has already been installed on the airport line, which features 11 bridges and three viaducts, or specialised train bridges.
This portion of the route is aimed largely at tourists and business travellers in need of public transport between Sandton and the airport.
The Gautrain, with a top speed of 160 km/h, will offer a 15-minute commute between these two stations.
The trains plying the airport link will feature two coaches for sitting airport passengers, with room for luggage, and two to six general passenger coaches for sitting and standing passengers.
These general commuter coaches on the airport link will not be accessible to airport passengers. Therefore, daily commuters using the general passenger service will be able to embark or disembark only at Rhodesfield, Marlboro or Sandton stations.
Airport passengers will be able to embark and disembark only at Sandton, or at the airport.
This means passengers travelling in the special airport cars will notice that doors will remain closed at the intermediate stations at Rhodesfield and Marlboro.
All stations, apart from the airport station – as the assumption is that it services flying customers – will have a dedicated Gautrain bus service ferrying commuters within a 15-km radius to and from stations.
Sandton Station
The first station along the airport route is Sandton station, located between West street and Fifth avenue.
This station will be 45 m underground, and work is continuing in three shifts, 24 hours a day, to complete this anchor station.
Underground station construction works are ongoing in the cavern section between the south and north shafts, as well as within the shafts themselves.
These works include the base slabs for the tracks, construction of the various platforms and the various technical rooms, and access ways that are located within the shafts.
Construction of the station’s three-level underground parkade continues.
The station will also feature a drop-off facility, as well as bicycle storage.
During peak hours, Gautrain-branded buses will ferry passengers to and from the station every 12 minutes.
There will be a train every five minutes during peak periods, and every 20 minutes during off-peak periods. On weekends and public holidays, there will be a train every 30 minutes.
The entire Gautrain system will feature 650 closed-circuit television cameras, with security guards to maintain a visible presence at stations and inside trains.
Rhodesfield Station
The Rhodesfield station is situated immed-iately to the south of the Kempton Park central business district, and close to the R21 freeway.
Station platforms are elevated and located around one-third along viaduct 15, which is directly above the existing Metrorail railway lines, running between Isando and Kempton Park.
The station entrance, concourse and parking area are located at ground level. There are 1 400 parking bays at the station, with provision made for bicycle storage as well.
A new Metrorail station is being constructed and linked to the Gautrain station at Rhodesfield, to extend the catchment area of the Gautrain.
While Sandton is already a high-density precinct, development of this kind is still in its infancy in Rhodesfield.
Several residential properties have already been sold to commercial developers.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has received several applications for com- mercial developments, including three hotels, in the Rhodesfield area.
The first hotel is already being built close to Rhodesfield station.
Another development is a R600-million mixed-use development proposed for the remaining residential erven next to the station.
Marlboro Station
Marlboro station is adjacent to the N3 Marlboro drive interchange.
It is located close to the Linbro Business Park, with a multibillion-rand mixed-use development called Frankenwald Estate planned, which will feature a dedicated pedestrian link to the station.
The Marlboro parking area will accom- modate 1 200 cars at a time, also offering bicycle storage and drop-off facilities.
Around 300 t of steel has been used in the construction of the station to date.
Around 100 people are working on site at the moment.
Tracklaying has already started.
OR Tambo International Airport Station
This elevated station has platforms situated on a viaduct. The station concourse is linked directly to the departures level of the adjacent new central terminal building, one level below.
This station is the first to feature fare gates and electronic ticket vending machines.
The Gautrain system is a closed one, with only people with a valid ticket able to get onto the platform.
Passengers will be able to buy preloaded smart-cards for train and/or bus trips at the self-help ticket vending machines, or at a manned ticket office.
Ticket products can be loaded onto the smart-card using cash, a debit card or a credit card.
Contactless technology means smart cards will be scanned electronically when they are swiped at the access readers on the fare gates.
All stations will have electronic display systems providing information on train arrival and departure times.
The OR Tambo International Airport station will not have a dedicated parking area, as it caters for airline passengers.
The Trains
Of the 96 rail cars, or 24 train sets, to be used in the system, six sets are already undergoing testing at the depot, says Gautrain Management Agency CEO Jack van der Merwe.
The allocated 15 Electrostar cars to be delivered from Bombardier’s facility in Derby, in the UK, have already arrived in Gauteng, with the remainder to now flow from Union Carriage & Wagon Partnership, in Nigel.
“They have already reached full production, assembling two cars a week,” says Van der Merwe.
Dynamic testing is being conducted on a 7-km test track between Dale road and Linbro Park. Each train has to run for 3 000 km before it can be certified to carry passengers.
Around 32 km of track has already been laid.
Now, Will It or Won’t It Be Ready for the World Cup?
The year 2010 is more than just another year on the South African calendar. It is the year in which the country will host the FIFA World Cup.
The question on nearly everybody’s lips is whether the project will be ready for the event, which kicks off on June 11. In a country which lacks predictable and safe public transport, such as is the norm in Europe and the US, the Gautrain has been proffered as the ideal solution for carrying the thousands of tourists expected to land at OR Tambo International Airport, heading for Sandton hotels in 2010.
However, Bombela is only contractually scheduled to complete the project at the end of June.
Van der Merwe notes that a decision will now have to be made on whether phase one of the project needs a cash injection to be finished in May – in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Van der Merwe says the two-phased rail project has, indeed, never been a 2010 project. The project was announced in 2000, with the FIFA World Cup awarded only in 2004.
However, he adds that there is a “need and desire” from government to finish phase one of the project in time for the global sports event.
“We are talking to the concessionaire to accelerate the project,” says Van der Merwe.
“Depending on negotiations and cost implications, we’ll have to see if we’ll pay to have it ready.”
He says that he has been hopeful to make an announcement on a possible fast-track of the project in July, but that he is now targeting August or, at the very least, the next three months.
via
Construction on the project started at the end of September 2006.
The 45-month first phase comprises the network between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, and includes the stations at OR Tambo International Airport, Rhodesfield, Marlboro and Sandton, together with the depot and operations control centre located near Allandale road, in Midrand.
The second phase, which is being constructed concurrently, will be completed in 54 months, taking the project to 2011. It includes the remainder of the rail network and stations linking Sandton and Park station, in Johannesburg, and the route from Midrand to Hatfield, in Pretoria.
The rail project is being constructed by the Bombela consortium, which will also operate it for a 15-year concession period.
There remains only a little bit more than ten months of the contracted 45-month period to complete the first phase of the R25,4-billion project.
Around 3 km of twin track has already been installed on the airport line, which features 11 bridges and three viaducts, or specialised train bridges.
This portion of the route is aimed largely at tourists and business travellers in need of public transport between Sandton and the airport.
The Gautrain, with a top speed of 160 km/h, will offer a 15-minute commute between these two stations.
The trains plying the airport link will feature two coaches for sitting airport passengers, with room for luggage, and two to six general passenger coaches for sitting and standing passengers.
These general commuter coaches on the airport link will not be accessible to airport passengers. Therefore, daily commuters using the general passenger service will be able to embark or disembark only at Rhodesfield, Marlboro or Sandton stations.
Airport passengers will be able to embark and disembark only at Sandton, or at the airport.
This means passengers travelling in the special airport cars will notice that doors will remain closed at the intermediate stations at Rhodesfield and Marlboro.
All stations, apart from the airport station – as the assumption is that it services flying customers – will have a dedicated Gautrain bus service ferrying commuters within a 15-km radius to and from stations.
Sandton Station
The first station along the airport route is Sandton station, located between West street and Fifth avenue.
This station will be 45 m underground, and work is continuing in three shifts, 24 hours a day, to complete this anchor station.
Underground station construction works are ongoing in the cavern section between the south and north shafts, as well as within the shafts themselves.
These works include the base slabs for the tracks, construction of the various platforms and the various technical rooms, and access ways that are located within the shafts.
Construction of the station’s three-level underground parkade continues.
The station will also feature a drop-off facility, as well as bicycle storage.
During peak hours, Gautrain-branded buses will ferry passengers to and from the station every 12 minutes.
There will be a train every five minutes during peak periods, and every 20 minutes during off-peak periods. On weekends and public holidays, there will be a train every 30 minutes.
The entire Gautrain system will feature 650 closed-circuit television cameras, with security guards to maintain a visible presence at stations and inside trains.
Rhodesfield Station
The Rhodesfield station is situated immed-iately to the south of the Kempton Park central business district, and close to the R21 freeway.
Station platforms are elevated and located around one-third along viaduct 15, which is directly above the existing Metrorail railway lines, running between Isando and Kempton Park.
The station entrance, concourse and parking area are located at ground level. There are 1 400 parking bays at the station, with provision made for bicycle storage as well.
A new Metrorail station is being constructed and linked to the Gautrain station at Rhodesfield, to extend the catchment area of the Gautrain.
While Sandton is already a high-density precinct, development of this kind is still in its infancy in Rhodesfield.
Several residential properties have already been sold to commercial developers.
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has received several applications for com- mercial developments, including three hotels, in the Rhodesfield area.
The first hotel is already being built close to Rhodesfield station.
Another development is a R600-million mixed-use development proposed for the remaining residential erven next to the station.
Marlboro Station
Marlboro station is adjacent to the N3 Marlboro drive interchange.
It is located close to the Linbro Business Park, with a multibillion-rand mixed-use development called Frankenwald Estate planned, which will feature a dedicated pedestrian link to the station.
The Marlboro parking area will accom- modate 1 200 cars at a time, also offering bicycle storage and drop-off facilities.
Around 300 t of steel has been used in the construction of the station to date.
Around 100 people are working on site at the moment.
Tracklaying has already started.
OR Tambo International Airport Station
This elevated station has platforms situated on a viaduct. The station concourse is linked directly to the departures level of the adjacent new central terminal building, one level below.
This station is the first to feature fare gates and electronic ticket vending machines.
The Gautrain system is a closed one, with only people with a valid ticket able to get onto the platform.
Passengers will be able to buy preloaded smart-cards for train and/or bus trips at the self-help ticket vending machines, or at a manned ticket office.
Ticket products can be loaded onto the smart-card using cash, a debit card or a credit card.
Contactless technology means smart cards will be scanned electronically when they are swiped at the access readers on the fare gates.
All stations will have electronic display systems providing information on train arrival and departure times.
The OR Tambo International Airport station will not have a dedicated parking area, as it caters for airline passengers.
The Trains
Of the 96 rail cars, or 24 train sets, to be used in the system, six sets are already undergoing testing at the depot, says Gautrain Management Agency CEO Jack van der Merwe.
The allocated 15 Electrostar cars to be delivered from Bombardier’s facility in Derby, in the UK, have already arrived in Gauteng, with the remainder to now flow from Union Carriage & Wagon Partnership, in Nigel.
“They have already reached full production, assembling two cars a week,” says Van der Merwe.
Dynamic testing is being conducted on a 7-km test track between Dale road and Linbro Park. Each train has to run for 3 000 km before it can be certified to carry passengers.
Around 32 km of track has already been laid.
Now, Will It or Won’t It Be Ready for the World Cup?
The year 2010 is more than just another year on the South African calendar. It is the year in which the country will host the FIFA World Cup.
The question on nearly everybody’s lips is whether the project will be ready for the event, which kicks off on June 11. In a country which lacks predictable and safe public transport, such as is the norm in Europe and the US, the Gautrain has been proffered as the ideal solution for carrying the thousands of tourists expected to land at OR Tambo International Airport, heading for Sandton hotels in 2010.
However, Bombela is only contractually scheduled to complete the project at the end of June.
Van der Merwe notes that a decision will now have to be made on whether phase one of the project needs a cash injection to be finished in May – in time for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Van der Merwe says the two-phased rail project has, indeed, never been a 2010 project. The project was announced in 2000, with the FIFA World Cup awarded only in 2004.
However, he adds that there is a “need and desire” from government to finish phase one of the project in time for the global sports event.
“We are talking to the concessionaire to accelerate the project,” says Van der Merwe.
“Depending on negotiations and cost implications, we’ll have to see if we’ll pay to have it ready.”
He says that he has been hopeful to make an announcement on a possible fast-track of the project in July, but that he is now targeting August or, at the very least, the next three months.
via
Monday, July 27, 2009
Developers in Rosebank should be encouraged to go residential
There's no obvious recession in Rosebank. The Johannesburg suburb is rapidly becoming the city's third high-rise business centre after Sandton and the original CBD, as SA's biggest developers prepare for the launch of Gautrain and the city's bus rapid transit system next year.
But the recession does have some effect. It is one of the reasons developers have either abandoned or avoided building the high-rise, high-density blocks of flats that would ensure Rosebank remains the most successful city environment in Gauteng.
Rosebank has the street life the Sandton CBD can never achieve, and the authentic urbanism of global cities that manufactured environments such as Melrose Arch and Cape Town's Century City will always lack. Several thousand high-rise flats would secure it as the region's most popular place to live, work and play and entrench the sustainability of Gautrain and its retail component.
Old Mutual is the most enthusiastic participant in the Gautrain project, with megadevelopments connected to stations at Rosebank, Sandton CBD and Midrand. Old Mutual Investments Group Property Investments (Omigpi) CEO Ben Kodisang has nailed his flag to the mixed-use urban mast, in his plan to become SA's biggest property asset manager with a R100bn portfolio.
WHAT IT MEANS |
Yet Omigpi has canned its proposed residential development connected to the Zone at the corner of Tyrwhitt and Cradock avenues. "We can't do it profitably in the recession," says regional development manager Debbie Caplin. "We could if we were allowed to build a 30-storey high rise, but we can't."
Omigpi says it is unable to because the local civic Rosebank Action Group (Rag) is opposing large-scale high-rise development. Rag's Judith Briggs says it is opposed to "monolithic slabs" of buildings creating a "canyon" - but it doesn't oppose properly staggered high-rise development. Elsewhere in the world, planners have encouraged the densest and highest development to make sure mass transit systems are sustainable.
A third reason for the lack of residential construction is that Old Mutual and other major developers Investec, Standard Bank and Tiber are mainly commercial developers, with little interest or feel for residential.
Listed property fund Hyprop and developer Intaprop recently bought Nedbank Gardens in Bath Avenue from Old Mutual. It's an office park that is ideal for residential conversion.
Exclusive business - Buildings near the Gautrain station are likely to be reserved for commercial purposes only
Intaprop's Tim Middleton says it hasn't excluded residential. "But it's not a good idea to have a residential development that is isolated from other residential developments, which would be the case at Nedbank Gardens."
Hyprop would be interested only in a hotel. It wants to support the prime Rosebank property, the mall over the road from Nedbank Gardens. So it's probable that tenant parking and other non retail activities would be moved to the new purchase, so Hyprop can expand its retail space in the mall.
Hyprop has also bought Cradock Heights, a 5 000 m² office building north of Rosebank Mall on Cradock and Tyrwhitt avenues. It was designed by the son of the noted Johannesburg architect Harold le Roith. Probably the most beautiful commercial one in the suburb, it could be converted for residential use. However, there's a good chance that Hyprop will eventually demolish it to expand the mall.
"It's a pity that Rosebank's revival is taking place in the middle of a recession," says Kagiso Urban Management's Anne Steffny, who runs the Rosebank management district (RMD) that ensures the safety and operation of the node's public spaces. "Developers just can't make residential work at the moment."
Which highlights the biggest flaw in the suburb's regeneration. As usual, developers are narrowly concentrated on their own properties and their immediate returns. City planning authorities with foresight would have known this would happen, and planned for it through a detailed, integrated development plan that ensure d the right mix, size and density of uses. It would have crossed private property boundaries and have factored in the long-term future.
By building residential now, the municipality and owners could have ensured the long-term sustainability of the mass transit system and surrounding commercial activity. It would also have made Rosebank an even more satisfying place to visit, do business in or live in.
The authorities can make that happen with incentives for the big developers, like extra height and commercial space if they include residential units in their development.
Or they could punish them by reducing height and space if they don't.
One developer who wants to be anonymous has bought 20 Tyrwhitt Avenue to build residential accommodation. He would like to build more than he is allowed to by the city planning scheme. "Rosebank needs 3 000 or 4 000 residential units in Tyrwhitt Avenue, and 1 000 more elsewhere if it is to reach its full potential," he says.
"But we don't have a development plan that will make that happen."
Steffny says the council, the RMD and the property owners have agreed to do an integrated plan "with a strong residential component, and the big property developers support that".
But it seems they will support that being done by other developers in lower Rosebank near Jan Smuts Avenue, while their prime properties close to the Gautrain station remain purely commercial.
By Ian Fife via
Friday, July 24, 2009
GAUTRAIN FARES & TICKETING
Posted on 24 July 2009 by Railways Africa Editor
Gautrain has adopted a balanced approach in its fare policy, aimed at making the service attractive and affordable. In principle, Gautrain fares will be lower than the cost of using a private car for the same journey but more expensive than those of existing taxi and rail fares. Fare levels will be finalised just before the opening of the system in 2010 and periodically adjusted thereafter.
The characteristics of the Gautrain automatic fare collection (AFC) system are as follows:
- It provides convenient access for all to railway, feeder-bus and parking services;
- It facilitates revenue collection by means of the fare media;
- It protects revenue by means of its security resources;
- It promotes the use of public transport in place of private cars through discounted fares for park-and-ride customers;
- It facilitates control of business performance through product management and management information reporting;
- It provides many opportunities for expanding, extending and developing the business, including the support of a variety of alternatives for interoperability with other transit systems.
Special consideration has been given to the needs of people with disabilities, to minimise queuing and make ticket purchase and car parking access and payment as simple as possible. Wide-entry gates are provided at all stations for use by anybody requiring extra space such as wheelchair users, those with baggage and adults accompanied by small children in pushchairs.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Scenes around central Pretoria station
Pretoria Central Station close-up
Track bridge from Muckleneuk area to central Pretoria
Gautrain bridge pillar close to Nelson Mandela Drive, Pretoria
The Telkom tower and Pretoria City seen from Fort Klapperkop
The Blue Train has a station at Pretoria Central Station
Track bridge from Muckleneuk area to central Pretoria
Gautrain bridge pillar close to Nelson Mandela Drive, Pretoria
The Telkom tower and Pretoria City seen from Fort Klapperkop
The Blue Train has a station at Pretoria Central Station
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
More images around Sandton
More photos taken around Sandton on a nice Sunday afternoon:
Sandton City:
A peak into the Sandton Library:
Nelson Mandela statue:
Nelson Mandela Square:
Sandton Gautrain construction:
Sandton City:
A peak into the Sandton Library:
Nelson Mandela statue:
Nelson Mandela Square:
Sandton Gautrain construction:
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