GAUTRAIN

GAUTRAIN’S CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Gautrain Management Agency’s (GMA) sustainable development strategy considers the inter-relationship between transport, the environment, the economy, and society.

The Gautrain service is a sustainable and smart mode of transport with numerous socio-economic benefits. Amongst these benefits are environmental benefits, economic growth and contributing to the revitalisation of the rail sector in Gauteng. The service is integrated and offers quick, easy, and seamless mobility with reduced travel times and value for money to the user.

The Gautrain's contribution to sustainable development makes good business sense when the spin- off effects, such as increased job creation and overall economic growth, are taken into consideration. An independent economic impact study commissioned by the GMA found that for every R1.00 spent on Gautrain, R1.72 has been added to the Gauteng economy. The study concluded that the Gautrain continues to deliver jobs and investment in Gauteng.

Integration is key to ensuring a seamless journey when using public transport, in 2011 the GMA partnered with the Alexandra Taxi Association (ATA) and the Alexandra, Randburg, Midrand and Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA) to operate the Midibus Feeder and Distribution Service (MFDS) at the Gautrain Marlboro station. The MFDS is an extension to the Gautrain service and offers accessibility to efficient, safe, and reliable public transport service in areas where other modes of transport services are not suitable. Thirteen years later, additional midibus routes have been introduced and are operating at Gautrain Centurion and Hatfield stations.

The Gautrain’s environmental advantages are also worth highlighting. Shifting from using a private car to the Gautrain is environmentally friendly and contributes to the reduction of carbon footprint. Carbon emissions from Gautrain are considerably lower per passenger – passengers opting to travel by Gautrain reduce their carbon footprint by 52% per trip. The environmental benefits also translate into health benefits relating to respiratory diseases and road accidents that are significantly higher for road transport when compared to rail transport as the safer mode.

Through Socio-Economic Development (SED), the Gautrain project contributes positively to society and enhances economic growth in the Gauteng. Since inception, the Gautrain project has been breaking new ground to ensure that specific socio-economic development objectives are met. Gautrain has delivered a spectrum of jobs during its construction and operational phases. The SED deliverables directly demonstrate the benefits of the Gautrain in terms of amongst others: – skills transfer and shareholding by black persons and women, in particular procurement, subcontracting and employment equity elements.

Besides driving economic growth and creating jobs, the GMA continues to work towards economic, spatial and social transformation through the modernisation of public transport infrastructure and urban develop-ment through Smart Mobility. The Gautrain has strengthened existing development nodes in Gauteng by promoting and restructuring urban areas and revitalising the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Ekurhuleni central business districts. The findings of the independent economic impact study revealed that the Gautrain has continued to:

• deliver jobs and positively impacts social investment;

• influence transport choices;

• reinforce development nodes;

• integrate Gauteng and its communities; and

• change perceptions and attract investment.

Land use changes occur as market forces influence changes in property use to the optimal purpose, which in turn could lead to increases in values, rent and therefore rateable income. A key feature of urban spatial transformation is densification in nodal development areas and precincts and intensification along the rail corridor. The first indicator is the increased demand for residential property surrounding Gautrain’s stations. Approximately 59% of all office development activity in major South African nodes is located around Gautrain stations. Gautrain is making a significant contribution to creating a larger and more economically powerful Gauteng region.

Gautrain has changed the image of public transport in the province, reduced travel distances and also plays a role in promoting domestic tourism. The perception and behaviors related to public transport usage in Gauteng has since changed and this is encouraging more sustainable land use and development patterns which are centered around transport nodes and infrastructure.

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