Gautrain Tshwane stations to be completed mid-2011

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Pretoria - The Pretoria, Hatfield and Centurion Gautrain stations will be ready and operational in June 2011, said Bombela spokesperson, Kelebogile Machaka.

"The ticket offices, station control rooms and payment stations are standard components, but each station has its own brief and accommodation schedule," she said, speaking during a media tour to the three stations on Thursday.

Machaka said the Gautrain stations come in three typologies which are underground, on-grade and elevated.

The offices and guard house located between the Rissik and Hartbeesspruit stations are complete but still need floor and wall tiling.

The multi-storey parking garage for park-and-ride passengers is also complete. Only the floor tiling needs to be done.

The railway line and platforms will be below ground level. Work is underway to ensure they are accessible by stairs and escalators from ground level, and also by lifts to accommodate passengers with disabilities.

Hatfield was selected as a Gautrain station for a number of reasons, including its accessibility from the N1 and N4 freeways.

The two other stations are Centurion (at Centurion Lake) and Pretoria (adjacent to the historic Pretoria main station).

Construction is still at an early stage at the Pretoria station for the vehicle and bus parking, but the Closed-Circuit television has been fitted. The offices, toilets, including those of people with disabilities, are also done.

Rails have been laid at the 200m long station, but the automated machines are not yet fitted. However, tiling at the platforms has not yet commenced.

The Gautrain is said to meet international standards when it comes to safety, reliability and comfort.
Its maximum travelling speed ranges from 160 to 180 kilometres per hour, making it possible to reach Tshwane from Johannesburg in less than 40 minutes.

There will be six trains per hour in both directions, with the train operating approximately 18 hours per day.