Johannsburg – A feasibility plan into the expansion of Gautrain service to areas such as Mamelodi, Soweto and Boksburg has been completed, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said on Monday.
The expansion would be done through a public and private partnership and would take 20 years to complete. "The new areas that would be covered will include Mamelodi in Tshwane, Boksburg in Ekurhuleni, Randburg-Laseria in Johannesburg, Mogale City and Syferfontein in the West Rand, Roodepoort and Jabulani in Soweto," said Makhura.
Transport MEC Ismael Vadi announced last year that the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) was expected to have the feasibility study submitted to the Treasury by the end of July this year.
Makhura said through the memorandum of understanding signed with the minibus taxi sector in the province last year, the taxi industry would participation in the expansions of the BRT and the Gautrain systems, and also in the industry supply chain. Turning to e-tolls, Makhura conceded that his government was unsuccessful in resolving the ongoing spats and boycott by the public.
"I must admit publicly, as I did last year that all the efforts we have made through the advisory panel have not led to the resolution of concerns of Gauteng motorists regarding affordability. We have tried our best. The ultimate solution can only come from national government...we will continue to engage in order to represent the interests of our residents."
He further announced 31 new "mega human settlements" projects set to would start in April across the province. The multi-billion rand housing projects would see Gauteng residents living nearer to work and not at the periphery of the cities anymore.
"The long awaited construction of mega human settlements and new cities will commence this year. There are 31 new mega human settlements that are both public and private sector partnerships that will start in April in different corridors," he said. "This will mobilise and unlock huge public and private investment at a level unprecedented in our post-apartheid history. [Human Settlement] MEC Mashatile will give more details when he speaks later this week."