File: Passengers wait to get on the Gautrain in Pretoria.
JOHANNESBURG - Expanding the Gautrain network will make public transport more attractive and reduce the number of transfers commuters need to make.
That is the view of the Gautrain Management Agency and they have said better links between rail and other transport services could help commuters reach work more reliably.
The agency’s Malebo Matolong said public transport is not a seamless system.
“You then have to have a lot of interchanges before you get to your own destination. Which, if you really look at it, it also means you probably wake up earlier than you should, because then you have to catch buses or taxis early just to get to work.
“If you are a mother and you are transitioning, you have to drop off kids as well, then you must understand that additional time that you also need. I think what this then offers the general public of Gauteng is reliability. They'll have a reliable system. They'll have an efficient public transport system. That then also assist them to connect to work, connect amongst people connect to economic opportunities and connect to services,” Matolong said.