Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, has announced the fares applicable for the rapid rail link service once the system is fully operational. The rail system is expected to be fully operational from Hatfield Station, Tshwane to Johannesburg's Park Station on 1 July 2011. The fares are based on the principle of affordability and are highly competitive compared to other modes of public transport.
The system will transport commuters each day in all directions providing economic mobility and the convenience of door-to-door commuting. The Gautrain system also comprises a fleet of modern low-entrance buses with comfortable seating, providing feeder and distribution services to and from Gautrain stations. The municipal Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) services will be integrated with Gautrain at many of its stations.
Commuters buying monthly tickets for trips between Hatfield Station in Tshwane and Park Station in the Johannesburg CBD - the longest possible trip on the system will pay R39 per trip and for a weekly ticket the cost will be R43. A single ticket will cost R49 per trip. The prices compare favourably to the cost of a single trip between Hatfield and Johannesburg CBD in a 1 600cc car, which is R61. This amount is for fuel and tyres and excludes depreciation, maintenance and parking costs.
Gautrain Management Agency expects the majority of commuters will purchase monthly tickets and thus pay R39 a trip. Regular commuters will get a 20% discount for monthly (44 trips) tickets and a 10% discount for weekly (10 trips) tickets.
The feeder and distribution bus fares are set at R6 per trip for those making use of the Gautrain. For ordinary users of these busses, the fare will be R20 per trip.
Parking fees at stations will be R10 per day when using the Gautrain and R80 per day if the train is not used.
A trip to the OR Tambo International Airport from Sandton and Marlboro Stations, currently at R100, will increase to R105. Fares from the new Johannesburg stations (Park, Rosebank and Midrand) to the OR Tambo International Airport will cost R115 and R125 from the Tshwane stations (Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield).
Gautrain management has reiterated that this system is not in competition with other modes of public transport, such as taxis and busses, which all have an important role to play in the total transport system. The fares negotiated with Bombela and formalised in the Concession Agreement, have been fixed between the fares of other modes of public transport and the cost of private vehicle use.
