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Johannesburg - The R27bn second phase of the Gautrain route from Rosebank Station in Johannesburg to Hatfield in Pretoria will operate commercially from August 2, it was announced on Thursday.
The route had been scheduled for operation at the end of June, and would follow the first phase of the project linking Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport, which opened last year.
Arup, the independent certifiers for the project, confirmed it would issue the necessary certificate for the new route on Monday.
The section to be opened would include all stations thereon. The Gautrain's bus services would also be fully functional along this route.
The final, southward leg from Rosebank Station to Park Station in the Johannesburg CBD, however, would be opened at a later date to accommodate additional engineering works in that section of the route.
"This is a precautionary measure to ensure that the highest passenger safety standards are adhered to, while engineering works are in progress," the Gautrain operating company said.
All Gautrain stations, with the exception of Park Station, would be opened to the public from July 29, "to enable prospective passengers to familiarise themselves with the train and bus services available and also to pre-purchase Gautrain tickets", it said.
Train and bus services would however only become operational from August 2.
A problem with water seepage has delayed the opening of the Rosebank-Park Station route.
The delay in opening the tunnel section between Rosebank and Park Station would enable Bombela Operating Company, which operates and maintains the Gautrain system, to deal with the water problem.
"The cost of undertaking this additional engineering works will not be for the account of the province," it said.
The route had been scheduled for operation at the end of June, and would follow the first phase of the project linking Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport, which opened last year.
Arup, the independent certifiers for the project, confirmed it would issue the necessary certificate for the new route on Monday.
The section to be opened would include all stations thereon. The Gautrain's bus services would also be fully functional along this route.
The final, southward leg from Rosebank Station to Park Station in the Johannesburg CBD, however, would be opened at a later date to accommodate additional engineering works in that section of the route.
"This is a precautionary measure to ensure that the highest passenger safety standards are adhered to, while engineering works are in progress," the Gautrain operating company said.
All Gautrain stations, with the exception of Park Station, would be opened to the public from July 29, "to enable prospective passengers to familiarise themselves with the train and bus services available and also to pre-purchase Gautrain tickets", it said.
Train and bus services would however only become operational from August 2.
A problem with water seepage has delayed the opening of the Rosebank-Park Station route.
The delay in opening the tunnel section between Rosebank and Park Station would enable Bombela Operating Company, which operates and maintains the Gautrain system, to deal with the water problem.
"The cost of undertaking this additional engineering works will not be for the account of the province," it said.
