Chooo Choooo THE GAUTRAIN has left the station!
Here’s an update for all those interested in the Gautrain…
The project has been awarded to BOMBELA and the works starts NOW- This could be one of our longest waits – 4 and a half years to go – but WOW it will be worth it!
To all those pessimistic negative types that never thought it would happen – GET A LIFE and BELIEVE IT because it’s true!
See the spx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business&articleid=244377″>Mail and Guardian for the full story.
Thanks to REX for pointing out the speedy development of the GAUTRAIN project – it’s all happening! STIMELA!!! We at REPRESENT cannot wait for this project to be done – just the thought of getting to the airport from Sandton in less than 15 minutes makes me vey happy!!!
Check out the map to see how close it will be running to you!!!
Here’s some FAST FACTS on the GAUTRAIN taken from the site:
** The main line will link Joburg and Pretoria via Midrand, starting at Joburg Park Station and passing via stations in Rosebank, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield.
** The other line will run from SANDTON to JOBURG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
**Trains used for the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link project will travel at a maximum speed of 160 – 180 kilometres an hour and thus fall in the –rapid speed category.
**The route length of Gautrain is 80 kilometres with 10 stations along the way
**The airport link between the Airport and Sandton will be operational by 2009
**The entire project will take 54 months to complete – that’s four and a half years from now
**The trip from JOBURG – PRETORIA will take 35mins. The SANDTON – AIRPORT route will take less than 15 minutes – no more missing flights!!!
**There will be 4 underground stations with about 15 kms of the route DEEP underground (up to 80m in some places!!!)
**I HAVE HEARD SOME OF THE USUAL DUMB PESSIMISTS – WHO INSTEAD OF CELEBRATING THIS AMAZING DEVELOPMENT IMMEDIATELY LOOK FOR A FAULT – SAY STUPID THINGS LIKE – but what about when you get off the train… WELL – imagine that this has actually been included in the plans!!
There will be a 10km “FEEDER” or catchment area where specific busses, taxis etc will transport passengers to and from the station. DUH.
SO KEEP ON CHECKING THE SITE FOR UPDATES AND PROGRESS – As Rex says – Should make for interesting times when they start tunnelling. I imagine a machine similar to that used for the Chunnel. (between France and UK) – Now that should be amazing!!
