The R120-billion plan to greatly expand the Gautrain passenger rail service is unlikely to assist those who require effective public transport the most.
This is the opinion of the Automobile Association (AA), which has warned that the Gautrain expansion will cost billions of rands without providing a tangible return on investment.
The AA has long been critical of the Gautrain, labelling the project a white elephant whose costs far outweigh its benefits.
The organization previously highlighted that the Gautrain is not financially sustainable and currently relies on a government subsidy that costs taxpayers approximately R2.5 billion per annum.
In its submission to the Gautrain expansion plans released in 2021, the AA said that such an expensive undertaking could not be justified.
“The Gautrain has no prospect of being able to provide provincial-scale mass transit at a reasonable cost,” the AA said.
“The system overall lacks the flexibility to respond to changing economic and spatial development patterns.”
It argued that the money would be better spent on a provincial-scale bus system, which would serve as a better public transport solution than the Gautrain.
The group has especially critical of the rail service’s pricing model, which it argues is too expensive to be accessible for the majority of the province’s commuters.
It argues that most individuals that can afford to use the Gautrain regularly already have a car, and are using the train out of convenience rather than necessity.
The AA noted that the Gautrain’s high prices are one of the main reasons why its passenger numbers are abysmal, operating well below the service’s maximum capacity.
Back when the train was launched in 2010, it was envisioned that the service would serve up to 130,000 users daily, or 47.5 million per year.
However, the Gautrain is still nowhere near this figure more than a decade later, as only 7.9 million people used the service in the 2023/2024 financial year.
Plans for expansion
Despite its poor track record, the Gauteng Provincial Government plans to spend roughly R120 billion on an expansion that will greatly expand the Gautrain’s reach.
The project aims to add another 150km of track to the existing 80km line, nearly tripling the size of the rail service’s infrastructure.
This will create new lines running through key areas such as Soweto, Fourways, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Lanseria, and Springs, which will link to the existing route passing through Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Rhodesfield, Midrand, Centurion, and Pretoria.
The expansion is meant to address one of the Gautrain’s biggest criticisms, which is that its coverage is too limited to be useful for anyone that isn’t travelling directly between Joburg and Pretoria.
However, AA spokesperson Eleanor Mavimbela told MyBroadband that expanding the system without addressing its existing structural gaps risked deepening mobility inequality.
“The Gautrain remains a premium service in a country with an urgent need for reliable, affordable, mass transport,” she said.
“The ultimate goal should be a balanced, multimodal transport system that enables economic participation and mobility for all — not just for a privileged few.”
Mavimbela argued that the Gautrain needs to improve its fare structure to be more affordable and inclusive.
She also stated that the expansion plans should be revised to include better integration with other public transport services like minibus taxis and buses, and that the new routes should prioritize underserved and high-demand areas.
“While the AA supports continued investment in transport infrastructure, we believe the current priority should be improving and repairing the existing rail network — such as PRASA and Metrorail,” she said.
The AA also suggested that more investment should be directed towards taxi ranks to improve commuter safety.
“These initiatives would yield more immediate and widespread benefits for the majority of daily commuters,” Mavimbela said.
“Transport equity is a critical enabler of economic growth and social mobility. Public funds should prioritise solutions that serve the majority.”
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