More people will now be able to access the Gautrain.
Photo: Supplied.
Gautrain to get back on track again from Monday
Good news for Gauteng commuters returning to work, as rapid-rail system makes a comeback with limited services.
More people will now be able to access the Gautrain.
Photo: Supplied.
After a long time off the rail tracks, Gauteng’s iconic Gautrain is to make a comeback for commuters from Monday, 4 May.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula confirmed on Friday, 1 May that the rapid-rail link will be permitted to operate again under the revised Level 4 lockdown regulations. These allow for the reopening of certain transport infrastructure to facilitate the movement of those people returning to work.
The Gautrain is an approximately 80-kilometre system which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and OR Tambo International Airport. During peak times, a train passes through the stations every 12 minutes.
Limited service with no airport stops
However, this is not ‘peak times’ and the service will therefore be limited. Routes to OR Tambo airport, for example, will not operate at all as the airport is not open for commercial flights at present.
Trains will run in the morning, between 5.30am and 09.30am. They then resume in the afternoon from 3pm. Although the minister indicated to the contrary, there will be no services in the middle of the day.
“On Monday to Friday, trains will operate at 20-minute intervals and on weekends and public holidays, trains will operate at 30-minute intervals,” Gautrain said in a statement. “The revised train and bus schedules will be available on the Gautrain website and app as of Sunday, 3 May.”
Extensive social distancing measures in place
Extensive social distancing and health measures will be in place to enhance safety for passengers and Gautrain employees.
According to the statement, random screening of passengers will be conducted at rail stations in collaboration with Department of Health field workers.
“We are in the process of procuring disinfecting spray booths which will be installed at the entrance to each station. Passengers will be required to walk through the spray booth before entering the station. The disinfectant spray is harmless and is just another way in which we hope to curb the spread of the virus.”
Alternate seats used and masks are mandatory
To facilitate social distancing, only every alternate seat on each train will be filled.
Masks are mandatory and free masks will be available for those who don’t have them. But Gautrain management has warned that stocks are limited. “We ask that passengers come prepared with their own face mask,” the statement said.
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