The Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa has called the Gautrain programme a white elephant that cannot be allowed to become more bloated.
In a press release issued on August 13, the association openly opposed the plans to extend the Gautrain with new routes to Randburg CBD, Northgate (called Cosmo City Station) and Little Falls [https://aa.co.za/gautrain-extension-unacceptable/].
“Proposed route extensions to the Gautrain must be rejected by the Gauteng Provincial Government as they will perpetuate a system which caters for the minority of citizens in the province who don’t need it, instead of the mass market which does,” the AA said.
“This call on the provincial government is contained in a detailed submission of the Automobile Association made today in relation to the proposed extensions of the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network, or simply, the Gautrain. In its submission, the AA highlights several key factors which it believes negate the extension of Gautrain, among them the fact that the current demand of the system is low, and that economic viability cannot be established within reasonable risk parameters.”
The AA claimed the Gautrain did not carry enough passengers or even as many as it started with.
“We are in favour of alternatives that provide solutions to vehicle usage, and which reduce pollution and congestion, but the Gautrain is not that solution…. The so-called patronage guarantee is a mechanism whereby Bombela – the concessionaire which operates Gautrain – is compensated for sub-par ridership levels of their trains. This means they can rely on the Gauteng Provincial Government as a funder of last resort regardless of how well or badly their business fares.”
This was unfair as the agreement had cost taxpayers R12 billion since 2012 claimed the AA.
Money should rather be spent offering more effective methods of mass transport for a lower cost to commuters.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government should invest heavily in the creation of a provincial-scale bus system as the most appropriate solution to mass transit in Gauteng. The provision of safe cycle lanes and solutions for those who walk the ‘last mile’ to work and home must also be considered.”
This, the AA said, had inexpensive infrastructure requirements and would integrate with all other modes of transport.
It will also encourage non-motorised transport, and bring cost-effective travel within reach of all citizens.
“In the years leading up to Cabinet’s approval of Gautrain in 2005, many different individuals, groups and organisations, including the then Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport, raised concerns that Gautrain was neither a financially sound nor a sustainable investment. Almost two decades later, these concerns have been realised and instead of solving the province’s dire transport crisis, Gautrain has become a system for the well-off who in any event have access to other modes of transport.”
Claims that the Gautrain had economic benefits were also unsubstantiated, the AA said, concluding that the process of extending the route should be halted immediately.
Gautrain Management Agency had not commented at the time of going to press.
More information about the new route network can be found here
