Gautrain to be leveraged for freight?

Government could stimulate
economic growth through more
major public works projects like
Gautrain, said Tshepo Kgobe,
senior executive manager, Gautrain
Management Agency.
Kgobe was addressing the
Sustainability Summit 2016 held
recently at the Johannesburg Stock
Exchange.
“The Gautrain is not just for
the elite and, yes, the (system) can
achieve economic sustainability,”
said Kgobe, who would not
discount the notion of one day
moving freight along the urban
commuter line.
He said that while R26.5 billion
had been invested in Gautrain,
appreciation of the value of the
system’s assets made the operation
worth R35 billion today.
“200 000 people arrive in
Gauteng monthly. To get to their
jobs, they need Gautrain,” he said.
However, the jury is still out when
it comes to Gautrain’s impact in
reducing Gauteng highway and road
congestion.
CAPTION
The Gautrain at the OR Tambo
International Airport station.