Proposed Gautrain route extensions must be rejected by the Gauteng provincial government, as they will perpetuate a system which “caters for the minority of citizens who don’t need it, instead of the mass market which does”, says the Automobile Association (AA).

The AA made a detailed submission in relation to the proposed extensions of the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network or, as it is better known, the Gautrain.

In its submission, the AA highlights several key factors it believes negate the extension of the Gautrain network, among them current low demand, and the fact that the project’s economic viability cannot be established within reasonable risk parameters.

“Simply put, the Gautrain doesn’t carry enough passengers currently – certainly not as many as it had projected when it started,” notes the association.

“Spending valuable financial resources now to continue with a system that doesn’t have demand, at the expense of better, more efficient and more affordable transport does not make any sense.

“We are in favour of alternatives that provide solutions to vehicle usage, and which reduce pollution and congestion, but the Gautrain is not that solution.”

Further, notes the AA, low use of the Gautrain is putting additional pressure on the Gauteng province’s transport budget, which effectively means that other transport options are not properly funded, again disadvantaging the mass market.

“The so-called patronage guarantee is a mechanism whereby Bombela – the concessionaire that operates the Gautrain – is compensated for subpar ridership levels,” adds the association.

“This means [it] can rely on the Gauteng provincial government as a funder of last resort, regardless of how well or badly the business fares.

“It’s a disgraceful and outrageous agreement which has cost taxpayers close on R12-billion since 2012, just because not enough people see value in using the Gautrain.”

The AA notes that because of the patronage guarantee, which it views as built-in insurance for poor performance, less money is available for more effective methods of mass transit that can convey many more people in a more flexible way and at a lower cost.

The AA’s other concerns about the proposed extensions include “the unsubstantiated projections of the economic benefits the Gautrain has had on areas surrounding the stations, the lack of identifiable target riders for new routes, and the high costs of expropriating the land to build the extensions on”.

“On all counts, the Gautrain is a failed system as far as providing a mass transit solution for the people of the province [is concerned],” says the AA.

“It will continue to be a failed system the longer it remains so heavily subsidised by taxpayers at the expense of reliable, efficient and affordable transport solutions. “To extend the Gautrain services now is economically inappropriate and unacceptable, and the process should be halted immediately.”

Instead, the AA urges the Gauteng government to invest in the creation of a provincial-scale bus system as the most appropriate solution to mass transit in the province.

“The provision of safe cycle lanes and solutions for those who walk the last mile to work and home must also be considered.

“Such a system has inexpensive infrastructure requirements and will integrate well with all other modes of transport.

“It will also encourage nonmotorised transport and bring cost-effective travel within reach of all citizens.”