Did you know these 10 interesting facts about the Gautrain?
Here are 10 facts you might not have known about The Gautrain. 1. The complete network consists of 80 km (50 miles) of track and 10 train stations. 2. Trains have a top speed of 160 km/h (99 miles per hour). 3. It takes only 15 minutes to travel between OR Tambo International Airport Station and Sandton Station.
What is the speed limit on the Gautrain?
The 1435 mm gauge allows for travel at Gautrain's required speed of 160 km/h (99 mph). The overhead line voltage is 25 kV alternating current (AC) as is standard in many countries.
What is the length of Gautrain?
Although the national railway network in South Africa uses the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge, Gautrain is built with the more expensive international standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in).
What is Gautrain in South Africa?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gautrain is an 80-kilometre (50-mile) commuter rail system in Gauteng, South Africa, which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and OR Tambo International Airport. The service offers a fast, convenient, safe and efficient public transport service.
Is the Gautrain The fastest train?
Africa's fastest train is twice as fast as Gautrain, says Africa correspondent Lee Kasumba. Africa's fastest train has started operating in Morocco, halving the time it takes to travel between Casablanca and Tangier.
What is the fastest train in South Africa?
GautrainGautrain, South Africa: Until plans materials for the introduction of another high speed train by 2025, the Gautrain remains South Africa's fastest train, with a maximum speed of 160 km per hour.
Which is the fastest train in Africa?
Morocco inaugurated its first high-speed train in November 2018, with the unveiling of the continent's first bullet train, AI Boraq. The train has a top speed of up to 320 km per hour.
Is Gautrain a rapid transit?
Gautrain is an 80-kilometre mass rapid transit railway system which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni and OR Tambo International Airport.
Does Gautrain use electricity?
The use of a high voltage alternating current (AC) system permits the entire Gautrain system to be fed from a single electrical traction substation which will be located at the Gautrain Midrand Depot.
Does Gautrain have WiFi?
MTN also topped the speed ranking with an average download speed of 123.52Mbps. Vodacom followed was a close second with 105.24Mbps....Mobile internet speed on the Gautrain tested — with two clear winners.Mobile Connectivity Speed on the GautrainNetworkCell CAverage Download (Mbps)13.65Average Upload (Mbps)5.96Average Latency (ms)53.624 more columns•Jan 24, 2022
How fast is Japan's bullet train?
It can run up to 360 kilometers per hour, a new record set during a test run in 2019, making it one of the fastest trains in the world. The operating speed, however, will be capped at 285 kilometers per hour.
How fast is a bullet train?
200 to 275 miles per hourMost Shinkansen trains operate at speeds of about 500 kilometers per hour (200 to 275 miles per hour). As new technologies are developed and instituted, future trains may achieve even greater velocities.
Where is the world's fastest train?
1: Shanghai Maglev - 460 kph/286 mph (China) The world's fastest public train is also unique -- it's the only link in the world currently carrying passengers using magnetic levitation (Maglev) rather than conventional steel wheels on steel rails.
Is Gautrain safe?
To ensure safe and secure travel on Gautrain we have in place a number of world-class safety and security features, which include: CCTV camera surveillance, both on trains and in stations. 24-Hour Security presence at all stations. Secure fencing along the Gautrain route.
What are the disadvantages of the Gautrain?
Disadvantages of using the Gautrain A bit pricey, especially for families, so it's not for everyone. Stations are only in major hubs so getting to and from a station may be a mission especially if there's no bus stop in your area. There are no toilets on the train although there are toilets at the stations.
How deep is the Gautrain tunnel?
30mEven so, being 30m underground - deep in the belly of the Gautrain tunnels in Joburg - felt unusually comfortable as scientists fired up the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Unlike the LHC, the Gautrain is not re-creating the birth of the universe.
What is Gautrain?
Gautrain is a rail system in South Africa for commuters that connects several important locations including Pretoria, Hatfield and Johannesburg, an...
How many stations are in the Gautrain system?
There are 10 railway stations in total servicing the Gautrain network.
Is Gautrain only a railway service?
No, Gautrain also provides bus services covering a total of 20 routes.
What are the Gautrain hours of operation?
Gautrain starts daily at 5.05am and 8.30pm, with frequent services between those times.
Is there car parking available at Gautrain stations?
Yes, you will find car parking options at every station except for the station that serves O.R. Tambo International Airport, also known simply as J...
How frequently do Gautrain services run?
There are frequent train services every day on both rail systems, operating at least every 12 minutes at peak times of high travel demand, and ever...
How fast does the Gautrain railway travel?
The train can reach a speed of up to 100 miles per hour (about 160 kilometers an hour), making for very quick journeys -- for example, it takes abo...
What do I need to be able to use the Gautrain?
You need to get a Gautrain card on which you’ll load money, and then use that card when boarding trains. You need to swipe this card through the tu...
Where can I obtain a Gautrain card?
When you are at a Gautrain station, look for either the ticket office where you can buy a Gautrain card from a station employee, or use an automate...
Can I ride the Gautrain without getting a Gautrain card?
Yes, if you have a contactless bank card you can wave this over the turnstiles at the station where you board the train and at the station where yo...
How fast is the Gautrain?
1. The complete network consists of 80 km (50 miles) of track and 10 train stations. 2. Trains have a top speed of 160 km/h (99 miles per hour). 3. It takes only 15 minutes to travel between OR Tambo International Airport Station and Sandton Station.
When did the Gautrain start?
The Gautrain officially started operations on the 8th of June 2010 (3 days before the 2010 FIFA World Cup kicked off at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg).
Overview
Criticism
Much of the criticism is that money is being spent on the rich at the expense of the poor. Critics contend that it does not serve any of the townships of Gauteng where the transport problem is severe and where the majority of the people live. However, supporters maintain that the train was never meant to be an alternative to mass public transport; instead, it was intended to reduce pressure on Johannesburg's overloaded highway system. Figures released by the Gauteng provi…
Background
The Gautrain is mainly aimed at providing and optimising an integrated, innovative public transport system that enables and promotes the long-term sustainable economic growth of Gauteng. It is also part of a broader vision to industrialise and modernise the region, including a commitment towards creating and sustaining an integrated culture of public transport use. The Gautrain is implemented as a public–private partnership (PPP) in terms of Treasury Regulation 1…
History
The project was announced in 2000, before South Africa won the rights to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Gauteng Department of Transport obtained environmental authorisation and conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for this purpose. Authorisation was granted on 25 April 2004. On 7 December 2005 the South A…
Specifications
Total route length – 80 km (50 mi) (including 15 km (9.3 mi) underground) Off-peak frequency – 1 train per 20 min Peak frequency – 1 train per 10 min
Although the national railway network in South Africa uses the 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge, Gautrain is built with the more expensive international standard gauge of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ⁄2 in). According to the Gautrain planning and imple…
Network
The rail network is 80 kilometres long and is connected to other forms of public transport like taxis, buses and the Metrorail public train system. Commuters can also use several Gautrain buses and midibuses to destinations within a 15 kilometre radius.
Travelling at up to 160 kilometres per hour, Gautrain takes 35 minutes to trave…
Ticketing
A cash-free ticketing system and the use of reloadable smart cards, the Gautrain Card makes travelling on the Gautrain quick and convenient. Passengers can buy their Gautrain Cards at any Gautrain Station as well as approved service outlets. Europay, Mastercard and Visa contactless cards are also usable on Gautrain.
Rolling stock
The Bombardier Electrostar, a model of train common in South East England, was selected for the system. Fifteen cars were manufactured and were assembled by Bombardier's Derby Litchurch Lane Works in England, with the remaining cars assembled by the Union Carriage & Wagon in South Africa using structural components made in England. Gautrain has 24 trains, each made u…