Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Jacob Mamabolo took a train ride on the Gautrain from Centurion to Midrand on 15 July before presenting the transport company’s report, based on the impact it has on the province. Mamabolo, who confessed to riding the train for the second time, said we should not look at the Gautrain as just a train, but rather in terms of its overall socio-economic impact and the role it plays in contributing to the economy of the Gauteng province.
“According to this study with regard to the statistical points in rands and cents, for every R1 spent on the Gautrain, R1.72 is added to the Gauteng economy. The Gautrain continues to reduce our unemployment rate – for every
R10 million spent on construction work, 45 jobs were supported directly by supply chain and weight spent, including subcontracting as well as construction activities.
“Approximately 3 800 direct jobs were created during the construction phase, most importantly, for women and also 3 000 jobs when operation started taking place which now amounts to 5 800 direct jobs.”
The Gautrain has also transformed commuting behaviour – just over 98 metered trips have been taken since its lifetime, contributing R78 to the economy per trip.
Mamabolo said he admired the Gautrain’s good governance. With regard to his train ride in the morning, he said he was impressed with the quality of service from end to end describing it as ‘exceptional’.
“The discipline around security, the way the guards conduct themselves, how they interact with the public is exceptional. I had an opportunity to interact with the train drivers also, many of whom are young and from historically disadvantaged families. What struck me was their knowledge of the infrastructure systems that have been invested on the train.
“What was also amazing was how the technology inside the train links with that outside on the railway line, for instance how the train adapts and adjusts enabling it to manage risks which may occur through the technology it has. I think most people ride the Gautrain but seldom take into consideration the massive technology related to safety on it.”
Mamabola further applauded the development of women and people from disadvantaged backgrounds saying that they are running a modern, complex and sophisticated system.
“If we were to benchmark and liberate what we have here, all over, it would be a great idea. The skills would create a big opportunity to turn around the transport system, so from governance and leadership, efficient operations, black empowerment and staff empowerment, dedication and professionalism – those experiences will forever be in my heart.
In conclusion, Mamabolathe put emphasis on the fact that it relieves the roads of traffic.
“The train takes 66 000 passengers, if you take that number and minus Gautrain from the Gauteng transport and capability infrastructure, those 66 000
passengers would be back on the road. That would not just cause a hazard but also contribute to air pollution and congestion on the road and again slowing down the economy.
“I will be campaigning to people to use it so they can relieve the roads because the money to maintain the roads is not there.”
He concluded, “We will need people to use trains, as well as the business sector and manufacturing sector because the Gauteng economy will be dependent on transport. So one of the things we will look at is how to engage national government of using the Gautrain as best international practice.”
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