MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi says work of the provincial government will centre on several game changing projects that will create over 500 000 jobs during the construction and post-construction phases. Noteworthy to the projects is the proposed extension of the Gautrain Rail System to Township areas.
Tabling the department’s budget vote speech on Tuesday, Vadi mentioned some of the milestones achieved by Gautrain upon celebration of its 5th anniversary. Gautrain is said to have recorded 50-million passenger trips over the past five years with a total of about 300,000 train trips and approximately 1,5-million bus trips.
CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency, Jack van der Merwe has said that about 200km of new railway line and 18 new stations are planned. A feasibility study is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2016 at which point the Department of Treasury will be approached for funding.
The agency plans to start construction on the new lines and stations within the next two years.
