New routes planned for big Gautrain expansion

The Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport has confirmed expansion plans for the Gautrain and new routes through Soweto and Costo City.

However, the project’s financial sustainability has been questioned and criticised. 

At the end of February 2025, the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport issued a Notice of Route Determination of a Railway Line for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the Gautrain Rapid Rail Integrated Network Extension Project. 

This is a significant step in the planned expansion of the Gautrain network, which has been a key component of Gauteng’s transport infrastructure since it began.

The Gautrain is an 80-kilometre high-speed rail system that connects Johannesburg, Pretoria, Kempton Park, and OR Tambo International Airport. 

The Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) manages the project under a Concession Agreement between the Gauteng Provincial Government and a private operator.

The Gautrain has also been credited with various economic benefits, including creating thousands of jobs and increased property development around its stations.

The expansion project aims to further extend the network with new routes and stations, improving connectivity and accessibility for commuters. 

According to the Notice, the proposed railway routes include:

• Little Falls Station to Jabulani Station (Soweto) via Roodepoort Station.
• Cosmo City Station to Samrand Station via Fourways Station, Sunninghill Station, and Olievenhoutbosch Station.
• Cosmo City Station to Lanseria Station via Cradle Station and Smart City Station.

This Notice was published under section 6 of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act 8 of 2001 (GTIA), which regulates transport infrastructure in the province and entrusts the MEC with financing, constructing, and managing such projects. 

The process of establishing a new railway line involves two key phases: Route Determination and Preliminary Design. 

The publication of the Notice is the first step, requiring a preliminary route alignment study and an environmental investigation. 

The law requires that the MEC invite public comment on the proposed routes, ensuring that all interested and affected parties have an opportunity to provide input before finalising the determination.

The elephant in the room

While the expansion is expected to boost Gauteng’s economy and improve public transport accessibility, concerns over Gautrain’s financial viability remain a significant concern. 

Despite its ambitious goals, the Gautrain has struggled with declining passenger numbers, leading to increasing questions about whether further investment is justified.

Originally projected to serve 47 million passengers by 2025, the Gautrain has fallen far short of this target, carrying only 7.9 million passengers in the 2023/2024 financial year—a notable drop from the 13.9 million recorded in 2019/2020. 

This decline has resulted in heavy reliance on taxpayer subsidies, with R2.79 billion allocated in the last financial year alone. 

Civil society organisations, including the Automobile Association (AA), have criticised the planned expansion, arguing that the province’s transport budget should prioritise urgent infrastructure upgrades such as road maintenance, taxis, and buses.

“Despite this reality, authorities are pushing forward with an extravagant expansion project, neglecting the pressing transport needs of the province,” the AA said. 

The AA also argued that Gauteng’s existing road network must be improved to ease congestion and enhance road safety. 

“From the outset, we have cautioned that this expansion is misguided. With dwindling ridership and mounting operational costs, it is now abundantly clear: We warned you.”

In response to these concerns, Gautrain Management Agency CEO Tshepo Kgobe acknowledged the challenges but expressed confidence in the system’s future. 

He noted that declining ridership is not unique to Gautrain, as rail operators worldwide grapple with the impact of hybrid and remote work. 

“The days of a predictable 9-to-5, Monday through Friday commute are over. Passengers are demanding a more frequent service throughout the day and dynamic pricing to accommodate their hybrid work schedules,” he explained.

Kgobe also highlighted that affordability has become a significant factor in commuter choices amid rising living costs. 

Recognising that Gautrain is perceived as inaccessible to some market segments, he said the agency is working to identify underserved groups and tailor its offerings to attract more passengers. 

A recent brand study found that while Gautrain maintains a reputation for safety, efficiency, and cleanliness, accessibility remains a concern.

However, any changes to the system will be complex, given that the current Gautrain concession agreement expires in March 2026. 

“A new Public-Private Partnership agreement will determine the future operational framework, providing an opportunity to rethink Gautrain’s business model to ensure financial sustainability,” said Kgobe.

He added that the new agreement will allow for innovation and modernisation of the system.

 “A new Public-Private Partnership agreement presents an opportunity to rethink the Gautrain business model, ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence,” he said.