More Gautrain routes planned?

[The_Librarian]

I've said it somewhere else, and I'll say it again here - at present the current system is not viable as it does not have a large coverage area. Anybody got any idea of new routes being planned?

Should the system (rail/bus) be expanded to include other suburbs, then more people will start to use it as an alternative.

The transport ministers who's so fond of tolling the roads, and then innocently proclaim that we can use public transport can put their departments to work by planning and creating more links/routes, especially between Silverton and Centurion, for example.

Having said that, we went for a jol on the Gautrain today - and I'm very impressed. There's enough information so that the first-time user can't lose his/her way, and when you need to climb over to another train, the timetable's planned well enough to allow you more than enough time to move from platform A to platform B.

This is the way public transport should be going - in order to reduce congestion on the highways.

But it seems that those whose fondless lies in tolling, won't be impressed should the gautrain take their business away from them....

[Peder]

kind of OT but as far as i know the trains are choc and block full in the mornings which means they are actually being used, which i think is an awesome thing!

But it would be cool if they could have more routes, it would definitely make it worthwhile!

[hawker]

I've heard there are plans to extend it eventually.

[DsBalsak]

U should see those trains on a sunday afternoon from joburg to pretoria there is hardly any space

[McT]

@hawker, sooner rather than later I hope.

It would be fantastic to take a train or bus (like Rea Vaya) to work or in close walking distance.

We are going to be nailed yet further with road tolls and increased fuel levies, but there isn't yet viable alternatives to get to work and back.

[MickeyD]

I've used the Gautrain for 3 return trips already and am very impressed. Fortunately for me the bus services were running and the drop-off/collection point is across the road from our offices!

[The_Librarian]

We are going to be nailed yet further with road tolls and increased fuel levies, but there isn't yet viable alternatives to get to work and back.

This!

If another goon says we have to use the train as it's a viable mean of transport, then I'll gladly shove an entire model train set up said goon's @@@@....

For some it works, and is viable, for others, like me, it's not yet...

[MR.C]

Its brilliant planning by government. First they make a gautrain, then they make toll roads. What option will you take, pay to go by train or pay to go with your own car, either way, we have to pay more than we were before but the make us feel that we are making a choice.

[Shayd]

They need to extend the route to go from Sandton to Strydom park to clear water mall and the somewhere in Krugersdorp. This stretch of highway had become as bad as Johannesburg to Midrand.

If they did this I would happily take the Gautrain. As it is I am looking to move to centurion or Edenvale as I now work near the airport.

[ads]

Its brilliant planning by government. First they make a gautrain, then they make toll roads. What option will you take, pay to go by train or pay to go with your own car, either way, we have to pay more than we were before but the make us feel that we are making a choice.

Erm... The Gautrain is cheaper than the petrol you would use in most cases, so I'm not sure I see the choice, really.

[phoneJunky]

I saw a structure that looks like a Gautrain bridge like the one in Centurion just between Germiston and Alberton. Does anyone of you guys know if they are going to expand till there?

[czc]

I saw a structure that looks like a Gautrain bridge like the one in Centurion just between Germiston and Alberton. Does anyone of you guys know if they are going to expand till there?

Modderfontein?

[Bobbin]

I wonder if for the same money spent on the Gautrain and all this tolling malarky we could have rather had a dedicated bus system to all major shopping centers around Gauteng instead?

A bus system with many busses constantly on the move set up in exactly the same way as a train system with dedicated lanes and stations and syncronized arrival/departure. Like they did in some middle eastern country that turned out to be such a success.

I actually think we could have implemented that system and still have had plenty of money left over :/

[SecretCode]

They need to extend the route to go from Sandton to Strydom park to clear water mall and the somewhere in Krugersdorp. This stretch of highway had become as bad as Johannesburg to Midrand.

This is exactly what they need. But it will take a long time before they get going ... I imagine a lot of the route would have to be underground. Or go north of Fourways.

[SecretCode]

The problem with the feeder bus network (at least to Sandton) is that it takes so long for the bus to get there. Brightwater to Sandton and the train from there would be great for me ... but amazingly, it's quicker to drive.

[The_Librarian]

I wonder if for the same money spent on the Gautrain and all this tolling malarky we could have rather had a dedicated bus system to all major shopping centers around Gauteng instead?

A bus system with many busses constantly on the move set up in exactly the same way as a train system with dedicated lanes and stations and syncronized arrival/departure. Like they did in some middle eastern country that turned out to be such a success.

I actually think we could have implemented that system and still have had plenty of money left over :/
Buses are also subject to traffic jams, trains are not.

[SecretCode]

Also, buses have been subject to many more driver strikes than the trains!

[phoneJunky]

Modderfontein?


I don't know, just know it was over the N3. Don't really know the area

[Guantanamo]

Would be great if they could extend this to residential areas too. Eg have a station at Old Eds, so people can take the train from there. A train into Melrose Arch would also be awesome.

[DigiBanks99]

If they could extend the bus routes it would be great! I just live to far away from the Centurion station for it to be viable...

[Nerfherder]

I think the immediate plans are to extend past JHB to Soweto.

Once they actually get the Park station link up and running its going to grow quite a bit. They will just upgrade all the normal trains that come to park station and then there will be a HUGE network.

I agree that they need full east/west line. From Sandton to Lanseria, thats going to take frikken years though. Its going to have to be above ground as well be cause of all the issues they have had with the tunnels.

[Madman88]

Buses are also subject to traffic jams, trains are not.

They are subject to people jams.. as well as crime.

Somehow I just feel safer in my own car.

[JungleBoy]

If they could extend the bus routes it would be great! I just live to far away from the Centurion station for it to be viable...

Drive to the Reds Mall, park there and catch the bus to Centurion station.

[DigiBanks99]

Is there a bus from the Reds Mall? :wtf: That does not reflect on their site!

[JungleBoy]

Is there a bus from the Reds Mall? :wtf: That does not reflect on their site!

Check here cnr Hendrik Verwoed and Rooihuiskraal Rd (http://join.gautrain.co.za/Assets/Download/Bus_Route_Map_Rooihuiskraal_C2.pdf). That's where the Mall@reds and Raslouw Lifestyle Centre are and there is definitely a bus on that route. I see it all the time.

[j4ck455]

Is there a bus from the Reds Mall? :wtf: That does not reflect on their site!

Yes there is, I used it once last year when a colleague dropped me off at The Reds mall.

[MickeyD]

Yes there is, I used it once last year when a colleague dropped me off at The Reds mall.
That's good to know!!! My "lodgings" when I'm up there is in one of the Amberfield complexes...