Business express train between Pretoria, Johannesburg

[Craig Duckham]

http://www.businessday.co.za/

Business express train between Pretoria, Johannesburg


From Pretoria to Johannesburg in just under an hour is what
Metrorail's new Business Express train promises.
The service was launched today by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe.

It was hoped that the train service, which would officially start
operating from tomorrow, would encourage young professionals to
abandon their cars and take the train to work.

"We want to make it a possibility for all South Africans, regardless
of their social class, to use Metrorail," Radebe said at the launch
atPretoria Station.

With the exception of short journeys, the train service offers free
refreshments on board, free papers, a laptop workstation with power
points and Wi-Fi Internet access security.

Stewards and stewardesses will be placed in every coach. "It is very
comfortable and we need to spread the word that it is convenient as
well," Radebe said after taking a short test ride between Pretoria and
Centurion Station.

In contrast to the normal Metrorail service, the train has comfortable
seating and its only stops will be in Centurion and Kempton Park
before it reaches its final destination, Park Station in Johannesburg.

At the stations, secure covered parking and dedicated free bus
services will be provided.

"Compared to taxis which cost around R1,200 a month or petrol which
costs around R2,000 a month for the journey, our service is very
affordable, it would only cost R750 monthly," Tshepo Lucky Montana, CE
of the SA Rail Commuters Corporation, which operates Metrorail, said.

He said similar services were planned for Durban and Cape Town.

Initially the train will run only at peak times, departing form
Pretoria at 6:15am and arriving at Johannesburg at 7:15am.

The train will return to Pretoria at 7:30am.

In the afternoons, the service will run from Pretoria to Johannesburg
and back, arriving in Pretoria at 6:30pm.

Metrorail hopes to expand the service to off-peak periods shortly.

[John Ashworth]

Interesting price comparisons. Maybe it wil be the high cost of petrol which finally persuades people back on to the trains?

[Marc Russell]

Indeed.......

[Craig Duckham]

Is anybody planning to catch this train? The timetable is ideal as it allows you to return to Pretoria in just over 2 hours.

I have used the Cape Town service and it was awesome. Will have to catch this train next time I am in Gauteng.
Anybody going to take some pictures?

[Craig Duckham]

The details of the express can be found here.

This is the timetable, ticket prices and what the service offers.

http://www.sarcc.co.za/be.asp

[Marc Russell]

Kevin??

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

I WILL try and track it down - when I get a chance! Cannot get onto the site incidentally, but will keep trying...