Gautrain is South Africa’s newest and most innovative public transportation system. This high speed train, which opened in time for the World Cup, is an 80 kilometer rail line that connects the OR Tambo International Airport with Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The Guatrain began official construction in September 2006. Two distinct phases have been structured for the completion of the rail system. The first phase, from Tambo Airport to Midrand, had an additional incentive attached to its completion. The construction companies would receive an additional monetary bonus if completed before the World Cup in 2010. The construction companies met that challenge and World Cup viewers were some of the first people to use the train. The system was not designed specifically for the World Cup event, it was designed to reduce the number of cars on the road by 20%.

The Gautrain runs independently of the other rail system in South Africa. It runs on a different type of track to ensure a smooth ride and to enable the train to travel at speeds of up to 160mph safely. The train also has an electric wire above it that is not necessary with the other forms of trains.

Gautrain is connected to other forms of public transportation allowing passengers to easily switch from train to public train or bus with ease. The system also provides luxury buses that will take passengers to their final destination within a certain area around each of the Gautrain stations.

Gautrain will be completed in 2011. The entire 80 kilometer line will service approximately 100,000 passengers and alleviate a tremendous amount of traffic. The construction of the rail and the creation of support businesses has added nearly 100,000 jobs to the area.

Gautrain is the most expensive transportation project ever conceived in the area. At a cost of nearly 20billion Rand public and private citizens are watching the project closely to see if it was worth the cost.

Johannesburg has a very over crowded highway system. Gautrain is designed to help this overcrowding as well as promote a cleaner environment. The reduction in cars on the road, combined with the reduction of gasoline consumed will have a large, positive, environmental impact on the area.