Gautrain has released ticket fare prices for those services that will be operational from 08 June 2010. These services include a train service linking stations at Sandton, Marlboro, Rhodesfield and the O.R. Tambo International Airport as well as bus routes from Sandton and Rhodesfield stations. The fare policy is aimed at making the Gautrain attractive and affordable to broad sectors of the population without competing with existing modes of public transport. As a consequence, Gautrain commuter fares are typically lower than the cost of using a private vehicle for the same journey, but more expensive than those of existing minibus taxis, Metrobus and Metrorail fares.

OVERALL PROGRESS

Construction started at the end of September 2006. Gautrain will be completed in two phases:

1. The first phase has a duration of 45 months. It includes the network between the OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton and includes the stations at OR Tambo, Rhodesfield, Marlboro and Sandton, together with the Depot and Operations Control Centre located near Allandale Road in Midrand.

2. The second phase, being constructed concurrently, will be completed in 54 months, during 2011. It includes the remainder of the rail network and stations linking Sandton to Park Station in Johannesburg and the route from Midrand to Hatfield.

Toll-free call centre: 0800-GAUTRAIN (0800-42887246). The call centre is operational weekdays between 7am and 7pm with an answering system after-hours. Communities are reminded that regular Community Liaison Forums are held in affected areas.

Shepherd Ndudzo's design for the Bowman Gilfillan bench is characteristic of his most renowned work. "My inspiration comes from everyday people and their daily rituals, and my sculptures usually revolve around body shapes that are elongated or stretched, which I incorporated into my design," explains Ndudzo. According to Bowman Gilfillan, Nduduzo's bench completely met their brief of a contemporary work of art that is comfortable and inviting to use, all the while blending in with the environment. Nduduzo's bench is located on the corner of West Street and Fredman Drive.

The Sandton Central Management District (SCMD), embarked on a forward thinking Arts Programme, engineered to transform the cultural landscape of South Africa's economic hub. Their latest project, the Benchmark Commission, uses urban furniture to redefine contemporary public space and create a welcoming environment in Sandton Central.

This artistic commission of urban furniture sees each bench funded by a corporate in the area with the emphasis on the art and functionality of the piece and not the corporate branding. Each corporate chooses their own artist and the project is managed by Sandton Central. A plaque containing artist information, design descriptions and the sponsor logo is designed as part of each commission, tying all the benches together and enabling branding returns in an appropriate manner.

In July 2009, The Sandton Central Management District showcased Nadine Hutton's thought provoking and controversial work entitled "I Have Fallen".

This ironic, unexpectedly wry, even humorous and intimate portrait of a community of poor white people was not meant to exploit and shock rather, according to Hutton the exhibition purposefully avoided the sensationalist pitfalls associated with this sensitive subject matter.

 The exhibition showcased thought-provoking photographs of Tshabangu's preoccupation with Mali, part of an ongoing project engaging him with Africa. The exhibition is a development of work which first surfaced last year, focusing on Joburg, with a look at other urban African spaces that have a relationship with our city.