Pretoria – Getting stuck in traffic and taking hours to travel from Pretoria to Johannesburg is a thing of the past for motorists who’ve chosen to use the Gautrain.
South Africa’s world class, high-speed train has met the expectations of users such as Muzi Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi has been driving to work in Johannesburg on a daily basis for the past five years. A relaxed looking Mkhwanazi said the Gautrain has brought some relief, as he now spends less time and money using this mode of transport.
On average, he used to spend about R3 000 on fuel and now he estimates that he will save about R1 000.
“I now enjoy going to work. I spend less time traveling to work,” said Mkhwanazi, who boards the Gautrain at Centurion station.
He and thousands of other commuters enjoy the benefit of only having to spend about 30 minutes getting to Rosebank station in Johannesburg. A one-way journey from Hatfield in Pretoria to Rosebank costs R46.
The Gautrain is expected to cut traffic on the roads, especially on the N1 to Johannesburg by at least 20% as more and more people get used to the idea. User numbers are expected to increase in the coming months, with over 7 000 people having used the service on the first day of operation on the Hatfield/Rosebank line last week.
According to most people who are now using the Gautrain, it is much easier, more peaceful and safer than driving.
An added perk is that Mkhwanazi will now spend less on his car maintenance.
Jaco Perreira, a business consultant, told BuaNews that he also spends less on fuel traveling to and fro, attending business meetings in Johannesburg.
The Gautrain comes with a bus service that makes it easier to reach places like the Pretoria City Centre, Sandton, Rosebank and the Johannesburg CBD.
The buses are only used by passengers with valid Gautrain Gold Cards, which are available at all Gautrain stations.
The tickets are also available at some retail stores situated along the Gautrain bus routes.
You must have at least R20 of Pay-As-Go available on your Gautrain Gold Card to board the bus.
On the way to Rosebank from Hatfield the train stops in Centurion, Midrand, Marlboro before reaching Rosebank. – BuaNews
