World Cup 2010: Gautrain (Africa's high-speed rail)

The Gautrain

The World Cup 2010 in South Africa has seen billions invested into the country's infrastructure, be it power systems, new stadiums or transport links. However, one of the most important is arguably the opening of Africa's high-speed rail system - the Gautrain project.

Designed to deal with the influx of tourists coming to South Africa for the World Cup 2010 tournament, the rail system was officially opened today in order to deal with the first football fans landing in the country.

The rail link will be able to take fans from the country's main airport in Johannesburg to Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport. The 80-km route will be the first high-speed rail service in Africa, enabling the continent to have a rapid transit railways system before even the US and the UK.

The Gautrain

The Gautrain project has cost US$3 billion and as you'd expect from such a large scale project (in the middle of the World Cup no-less), has been beset with delays, strikes and construction problems. As such, only one section of the line is expected to open this week.

However, while it may relieve traffic corridors during the tournament, the Gautrain is also a size-able long-term investment that could transform the lives of the population.

Speaking to journalists at the week, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said, "The good thing about what South Africa has done for the World Cup is that we have not done something for 11 June to 11 July, we have put our money for life beyond that."

"Currently, congestion is a major threat to the development of the province where traffic volumes grow at a rate of seven percent per year on the main corridor between Johannesburg and Pretoria."

"This is going to be an asset and property of the people of South Africa for generations to come,"

Some 300,000 foreign visitors are expected in South Africa during the month-long tournament, the majority landing at OR Tambo International Airport.

During construction, the Gautrain system was overseen by Bombela Consortium, who are a partnership of Bombardier Transportation, Bouygues Travaux Publics, Murray & Roberts, the Strategic Partners Group and RATP Développement, the J&J Group and Absa Bank. In order to make sure the project was completed on time, the contract had a R150 million incentive for the consortium to finish the project on time.

Africa's high-speed rail network is also connected to other forms of transports such as the Metrorail system, buses and taxis.

The Gautrain will be capable of speeds of up to 160km/h, making the journey from Johannesburg to Pretoria in 40 minutes. It is normally a two hour commute by car.

Relevant articles:

2010 World Cup Infrastructure - How has it changed South Africa? |The stadiums of Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid | How the 2022 World Cup is improving MENA infrastructure | How the World Cup fuels infrastructure investment

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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