Commute: Centurion to Parktown

[Catal]

I'm starting a new job at two office locations, one next to Park station and the other in Sandton. I will alternate between the locations but usually not on the same day.

I live in Centurion atm and plan on commuting either via car and/or the Gautrain to Johannesburg.

I have the possibility of working flexitime with prime business hours between 09h00 - 16h00. I'm comfortable with leaving at 06h00 from home and even 18h00 from work.

1) For those in the know, what car commuting schedule would you suggest?

2) Which pitfalls should I avoid?

3) Could I make the journey in 40 minutes?

 

[XennoX]

I hope you have medical aid that will cover chronic high blood pressure medication. The traffic on the N1 is insane coming from and going to Pretoria in the morning and afternoon respectively. Even leaving at 06h00 in the morning will leave you travelling in pretty heavy traffic and likewise leaving at 18h00 from work means you have to contend with that traffic.

Honestly speaking the Gautrain is probably your sane option if you want to avoid the traffic, but that Centurion station is incredibly busy.

When I hit Buccleuch IC at 06h45 on the N1 North, the backup from Pretoria usually extends from Grayston drive on the M1 all the way to the Brakfontein IC.

 

[GhostSixFour]

Had a clleague that did that drive daily. Good day takes 1.5hours, worst day she had while I was there was 4 hours. The JMPD had a road block on the N!.

 

[Pitbull]

I'm starting a new job at two office locations, one next to Park station and the other in Sandton. I will alternate between the locations but usually not on the same day.

I live in Centurion atm and plan on commuting either via car and/or the Gautrain to Johannesburg.

I have the possibility of working flexitime with prime business hours between 09h00 - 16h00. I'm comfortable with leaving at 06h00 from home and even 18h00 from work.

1) For those in the know, what car commuting schedule would you suggest?

2) Which pitfalls should I avoid?

3) Could I make the journey in 40 minutes?

Gautrain and Gautrain bus.

Don't drive there. NEVER

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Had a clleague that did that drive daily. Good day takes 1.5hours, worst day she had while I was there was 4 hours. The JMPD had a road block on the N!.

That^^

GF's house is in PTA east and heading to Auckland Park Mon morning it's sometimes quicker to go R21,N12,M2 or N14 then thru the northern suburbs... 1.5hrs min you're looking at, I would say leaving 5.30 from centurion would dodge most of it as I have to leave 5.15 from PTA east to miss it. Anything after 5.30 and you're stuck.

 

[hawker]

I don't recommend driving that. I did it for a while...it was rough.

 

[stixx]

I drive occasionally from Centurion to Marshalltown (I mainly use the Gautrain but sometimes work is outside of Gautrain hours). I can leave Centurion at 6 and can be in the office before 7. This is on good days. Traffic usually backs up from Brakfontein to Olifantsfontein offramp, after which its quite clear. However, I use the N3/M2 to get to the office, the M1 is just a nightmare.

If there is even a hint of an accident, you can double the travelling time

Using the Gautrain is your best bet though, it is much less stressful (although not faster than driving for my routes).

 

[Catal]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Looks like I will have to choose the lesser of two evils.

The thing is, my Parktown office is 1 km from the Gautrain Park station toward the Wits direction, and the Sandton office is 700 m from the Gautrain Sandton station.

The walk is not too bad in Sandton, but Parktown looks rather dodgy and I'd hate to walk the 1 km routinely everyday with my laptop. That makes me such an easy and predictable target. I will have to get some pepper spray or chain my bag to my body.

I can start by car at 05h30 in the AM, but I doubt I'll be able to miss the traffic in the afternoon even if I get away at 15h00 or 18h00.

 

[Pitbull]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Looks like I will have to choose the lesser of two evils.

The thing is, my Parktown office is 1 km from the Gautrain Park station toward the Wits direction, and the Sandton office is 700 m from the Gautrain Sandton station.

The walk is not too bad in Sandton, but Parktown looks rather dodgy and I'd hate to walk the 1 km routinely everyday with my laptop. That makes me such an easy and predictable target. I will have to get some pepper spray or chain my bag to my body.

I can start by car at 05h30 in the AM, but I doubt I'll be able to miss the traffic in the afternoon even if I get away at 15h00 or 18h00.

Take the Gautrain bus then

 

[XennoX]

This details the bus routes.

http://join.gautrain.co.za/Buses.aspx

 

[Catal]

Take the Gautrain bus then

I wish the Gautrain bus routes covered my office locations, but they do not unfortunately. Neither in Sandton or Parktown, so I have to walk or somehow get a bicycle.

 

[silver6933]

I am on the M1 from parktown toward PTA at 530. There is heavy traffic going south. At centurion, traffic is using all the lanes.

I recommend the gautrain. The walk is crap thou.

 

[Beachless]

Even getting to the gautrain station can take a while so you wont typically save a whole bunch of time unless you stay nearby.

Bank on an average time of 1:30 and 2-3 hours on rainy/accident days if you leave really early or late you can cut about 30% off that time.

I've considdered getting a scooter or bike just to get to the gautrain quicker that would make a decent difference in traveling time.

And your fears of walking with a laptop is very real even in sandton so considder locking it away at work when you leave for the day when you can.

 

[Ridolfc]

Your best option is a motorcycle. Public transport can become an issue when they go on strike, and they always go on strike. Being stuck in traffic in a car is unbearable. With a bike you can lane split, makes the trip quicker and you don't get stuck in traffic.

 

[XennoX]

Speaking of a motorcycle. Something a lot of people do, particularly at the Rosebank station, is buy a cheap scooter (sub R10k) and leave it overnight at the station.

Process: Catch train @ Hatfield/Pretoria/Centurion to Rosebank. Use scooter to get to the office. The Rosebank station would probably be your best bet for this to be honest as it's 4 minutes from Park Station and 4 minutes from Sandton. You would also be going south when going to Parktown (against the traffic) and north when going to Sandton (a bit of a cockup here).

 

[Catal]

Speaking of a motorcycle. Something a lot of people do, particularly at the Rosebank station, is buy a cheap scooter (sub R10k) and leave it overnight at the station.

Process: Catch train @ Hatfield/Pretoria/Centurion to Rosebank. Use scooter to get to the office. The Rosebank station would probably be your best bet for this to be honest as it's 4 minutes from Park Station and 4 minutes from Sandton. You would also be going south when going to Parktown (against the traffic) and north when going to Sandton (a bit of a cockup here).

That's fantastic advice, thanks.

Why is Rosebank specifically, are there special storage facilities for bikes?

 

[XennoX]

That's fantastic advice, thanks.

Why is Rosebank specifically, are there special storage facilities for bikes?

All the stations I've visited (Park, Rosebank, Sandton & Centurion) have parking spots designated for two wheelers. You also don't pay for parking when using a two wheeler. In addition, when the station closes at night the parking lot is closed off.

 

[Catal]

I'm considering an electric bicycle, but it's crazy how many electric bicycles are more expensive than electric bikes. I don't really want to get a bike licence if it's not necessary.

I like the look of Zebike Mantis (http://zebike.co.za/Mantis.html):



I just think it may be a high risk item that will be stolen if not properly secured.

 

[Beachless]

 

[Catal]

I don't know Beachless, maybe the standing scooter is too gangsta for me.

Here's a much cheaper e-bike than the Mantis, for R4500:
http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-sports-b...g/electric-bicycles/1001307322090910004194709