The construction of the Gautrain – together with the construction of the respective stadiums for the Soccer World Cup – is one of the most extensive construction projects ever undertaken in SA.

The first phase of the Gautrain project – the route between the Sandton Station and OR Tambo – has been in use since the 8th of June.

But there is still work that needs to be done before the Gautrain project is completed.

According to Bombela, the company tasked with managing the Gautrain, phase 2 (the final phase of the project) will be complete by the end of the year.

Phase 2 includes all the other planned routes, including the line north of Pretoria and the line south to Park Station.

When the project is finished, the Gautrain will have three anchor stations.

These stations will be situated at the OR Tambo Airport and in Johannesburg and Pretoria. There will also be another seven stations – in Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Hatfield and Rhodesfield (Kempton Park).

But before all the routes can be accessible to the public, the final construction work has to be done.

Bombela expects the most important developments in 2010 to include:

- The Viaduct 5 construction over the N1, the Ben Schoeman Highway, and the Centurion station will be completed.

- It is expected that the civil contractor will hand over the Hatfield Station to the electrical and mechanical contractors in August.

- The testing of all the systems for the Centurion section is expected to be completed during the second half of 2010, after which they will go into operation.

- The testing of the Midrand section should be complete in August and go into operation.

- Railway installation for phase 2 (the whole Gautrain system) should be complete by the end of the year.

- The power supply and distribution for phase 2 should be complete by the end of the year.

Most of the construction and installation work should be in active use by the end of the year. – Jody Nel, Beeld

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I rode the Gautrain on the weekend just gone. Sandton to the airport.

What a pleasure! Comparible to anywhere in the world.

To all the doubters, go try it, you will be surprised.

I have travelled extensively and used comparible systems all over and Gautrain is right up there.

The price is a little heavy, but you see why when you use it. The rates for children seems heavy (full rates for 4 upwards).

The set up is modern, clean and well managed, if this is maintained and managed then there is a huge future for this modus.

The development of new lines and growth going forward depends now on the masses of use required to justify, expansion.

The day I travelled, there were lots of other counterparts noseying & photographing, all the conversation I overheard was positive.

A moment to be proud of this development and see some positivity. Try it. – Jason Brown