Gautrain prices start at R16

Johannesburg - A trip on the Gautrain between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport will cost R100, the companies behind the project announced on Tuesday.

A single train trip plus a single bus trip would cost R22.50 from Sandton to Marlboro, R27 from Sandton to Rhodesfield and R24.50 from Marlboro to Rhodesfield, the Gautrain Management Agency and Bombela Concession Company said in a joint statement.

Without the bus trip the ticket would be R6 cheaper. Trips to the airport from any of these stations would also cost R100.

These routes all open on June 8.

Parking at any station would cost R9.50 for the first 24 hours or part thereof as long as the train was also used. Someone only using the parking would pay "substantially" more.

The train and bus service would run from Monday to Sunday between 5:30 and 20:30, every 12 minutes during peak times and every 20 minutes off-peak.

Commuters would have access to these services with a "contactless smart card". It would cost R10 and money could be loaded onto it as required.

"This fare policy is aimed at making the Gautrain attractive and  affordable to broad sectors of the population without competing with existing modes of public transport."

Gautrain commuter fares would be "typically lower" than using a private vehicle for the same journey, but more expensive than using existing minibus taxis, Metrobus or Metrorail.

- Sapa