Minister Radebe also mentioned that the Tshwane to Johannesburg Business Express is located within the broader context of the Rail Plan approved by cabinet, which amongst others identified specific interventions targeted at various corridors.  This includes:

• The R8.6 billion Moloto Rail Project
• The R1.2 billion Bridge City Development
• The Bara-Link Extension

Other interventions include integrating commuter rail with the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link service through the building of a new station at Rhodesfield. Most of these interventions are already underway and should contribute to the improvement of rail services leading to 2010.

“We are investing R 16 billion in passenger rail– which is our largest investment in passenger rail in half a century. This investment is allocated over three years, but will be felt well beyond 2010 and is a cornerstone for the implementation of our National Passenger Rail Plan. It will provide long-term, stable and predictable funding to help meet passenger rail infrastructure needs across South Africa.

With our National Passenger Rail Plan we say that:

·   We will complete the jigsaw of a new passenger rail that presents a new passenger experience.
·    We will complete the upgrade of stations with the investment of R 2 billion up to 2010”, said SARCC CEO Lucky Montana.

Tshwane – Johannesburg Business Express Fact File

• The Business Express has fewer stops. The train will depart at Pretoria Station, stops at Centurion station, Kempton Park and the final destination will be Johannesburg Park Station.
• The Business Express realizes speed, comfort and class cutting traveling from Pretoria to Johannesburg to less than an hour. The Business Express will depart from Pretoria Station at 06h15, Centurion at 06h25, Kempton Park 06h55 and arrival at Johannesburg Park Station at 07h15.
• About 10 security guards will be provided on daily basis complemented by another 23 daily cabin crew members responsible for on board communication, serving tea and newspapers as well as assisting with Laptop connections.
• Business Express launch fares are as follows: Daily ticket R30, Weekly R60, and Monthly R750 (prices subject to change).
• Business Express seated commuters: 530
• Business Express break even point 480 passengers per day
• Municipal Buses are contracted to provide a feeder and distribution service to the North, East and the City Centre of Johannesburg and Pretoria
• SARCC through its Metrorail service occupies about 14% of the public transport market share; the Business Express will be positioned to increase the overall market share on the busy Pretoria to Johannesburg corridor.

It must be noted that similar business express concepts have already proven successful on the Soweto and Khayelitsha corridor. All of these efforts constitute to the overall plan to restore public confidence in rail.