Gautrain a big hit
Gautrain commenced operations between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport on 8 June 2010. The number of train passenger trips in July were 331 344 with 31 days of operation, compared to 283 552 in June, when there were only 23 days of operation. That's around 10 000 trips a day!
The number of train passenger trips was of course positively influenced by the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which ended on 12 July 2010. Another factor that caused a higher demand is due to 'pleasure rides' over weekends. The higher demand over weekends (pleasure rides) continued after the World Cup and holiday period, but is on a downward trend.
The weekday passenger demand decreased by approximately 27% after the World Cup period. Train daily punctuality performance for July was above the required norm of 95%, except for one day, where it was 91.5%.
The number of passenger trips on the buses was 14 428 during July, compared to 7 626 in June. The number of passenger trips for buses includes six weekday bus routes to and from Sandton station and one bus route to and from Rhodesfield.
On 8 June 2010, Phase 1 of the Gautrain System was opened for commercial service. The first phase operations included the airport train service between Sandton Station and OR Tambo International Airport, a commuter service between Sandton and Rhodesfield – with an intermediate stop at Marlboro Station - as well as dedicated feeder and distribution bus services to and from the Sandton and Rhodesfield Stations.
The Operations Control Centre, together with the train and bus depot facilities located just south of Allandale Road in the Midrand area, were also completed as part of the first phase scope of works.
The remaining sections of Sandton Station required for the Phase 2 operations will be completed by December 2010. These works include completion of the podium slab over the station complex, the remaining 2/3 of the parking facilities, the third platform to service the southbound line to the Rosebank and Park stations, an undercover taxi terminus and – good news! - the final reinstatement of Rivonia Road.
Within the Phase 2 tunnel section between Sandton Station and Johannesburg Park Station, civil works are approaching completion and the installation of mechanical and electrical equipment is ongoing.
By the end of July 2010, these works had been completed from Sandton to Rosebank Station and are well advanced along the remaining length of tunnel to Park Station. Track laying within the completed tunnel is progressing southwards from Sandton.
Construction works are ongoing at the seven emergency access shafts between Sandton and Park Station.

