The Gautrain has announced that the “Great Borehole Incident of ’25” is officially behind it, and that it has restored full services between that Park and Rosebank Stations.
This comes after an illegal borehole drilling operation earlier this February above the Gautrain line penetrated the tunnel and caused the railway to suspend services between these stations.
“Our engineers have patched things up, filled the hole, and declared the tunnel safe for travel,” said the Gautrain in an official statement.
“You can now return to the subterranean bliss you’ve come to know and love.”
Meanwhile, the Gautrain Management Agency has embarked on legal action against the perpetrators for contraventions of by-laws and the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act.
R120-billion Gautrain expansion
During his annual State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Monday, 24 February 2025, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed that the provincial government is set to invest a staggering R120 billion into expanding the Gautrain over the coming years.
The plan is to nearly triple the railway from its original 80km in length to a whopping 230km, connecting previously underserviced communities to the nation’s biggest economic hubs.
Lesufi highlighted that the new lines will run through the areas of Soweto, Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria, and Springs, adding to the existing infrastructure passing through Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Rhodesfield, Midrand, Centurion, and Pretoria.
The project is expected to generate over 10.1 million jobs during the construction phase over a five-year period, according to the Premier.
The following map shows the proposed expansion for the Gautrain network, which will be completed in stages:
The enlarged Gautrain will also form an integral part of a new high-speed rail link that will be built between Gauteng and Limpopo, which Lesufi said has started gaining momentum.
“The Limpopo-Gauteng Speed Train project is gaining momentum. Following the announcement last year, it has been agreed that given the project’s magnitude and intricacy, it will be executed in multiple phases,” he said.
“The integrated concept document, endorsed by both Gauteng and Limpopo Premiers, has been approved and will be ready for signing by both provinces in due course.”
He said the provinces are now jointly ready to approach the National Department of Transport for consultation.
Loading ...
