The Gautrain rapid rail system has marked 15 years of service since its first train departed from Sandton to O.R. Tambo International Airport on 8 June 2010.
In a media statement released on Sunday, the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) said the service has completed over 200 million passenger trips since its launch and currently employs about 1,200 people.
Looking ahead, the agency said it plans to expand access to more communities across Gauteng. “In the next 15 years, we want to connect more people, more communities, and more cities in Gauteng, and stimulate economic growth, development, and job creation,” said GMA CEO Tshepo Kgobe.
As part of efforts to improve affordability, the Gautrain has introduced a new fare option called KlevaMova, which offers a 50% discount on train fares for eligible low-income passengers. The product is available to households earning R350,000 or less per year, pensioners, and recipients of disability grants from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
“A month after the launch of KlevaMova, we are pleased that approximately 2,000 eligible passengers have registered for the product and over 1,000 applications were approved following a verification process,” said Kgobe.
Learners and students under the age of 25 also qualify for the 50% discount. “As we mark Youth Month, we understand that safe and reliable transport enables learners to reach school safely and on time, minimising disruptions to their education,” said Kgobe. “We are therefore positioning the Gautrain as the mobility of choice supporting young people’s transition into adulthood.”
Gauteng remains South Africa’s economic hub, but it also struggles with heavy road traffic. According to the GMA, expanding the rail network is essential for reducing congestion and supporting future growth. “We need to act now to move people from road to rail, particularly in congested areas like the Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor,” Kgobe said.
The agency believes that Gautrain has already had a strong economic impact. “The role of the Gautrain as a catalyst for economic development cannot be minimised,” said Kgobe. “We have seen a significant proportion of commercial and residential properties mushrooming around Gautrain stations.”
Proposed rail extensions to areas including Soweto, Fourways, Lanseria and Mamelodi are being considered as part of a 25-year transport master plan. The goal, Kgobe said, is to support inclusive growth and help reverse apartheid-era spatial planning.
“The story of the Gautrain is interwoven into the growth of Gauteng,” he said. “Fifteen years on, we pause to reflect on the journey we have travelled and the strides we have made, but also cast our eyes to a future where we can comprehensively address the transport needs of a diverse range of passengers and advance equity in transportation.”
