Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced that the Gauteng Provincial Government has reached the final stages of appointing a preferred bidder for the long-awaited expansion of the Gautrain.

The project comes as the current concessionaire agreement is set to expire in March 2026, paving the way for the R45b asset to be transferred to the people of Gauteng.

Read more: Questions raised about Gautrain extension

Lesufi made this announcement during a media feedback session on September 3, where he shared the key outcomes of the recent Executive Council Lekgotla.

The expansion is expected to bring the rapid rail network to Soweto, Mamelodi, and the Fourways, Roodepoort corridor, significantly extending its reach into areas that were previously underserved by the system.

“We are also finalising a feasibility study to explore connecting Gautrain to Smart City in Lanseria and Sedibeng. Plans are advanced to integrate the provincial transport system,” said Lesufi.

“We intend to use this asset as the anchor, and one of the outcomes of this will be the remodelling of the taxi industry after consultations with stakeholders.”

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Lesufi initially announced the plans for the Gautrain expansion in his State of the Province Address on August 16, last year, detailing a R120b investment to extend the network to the abovementioned areas.

Reacting to the news at the time, Ward 94 councillor David Foley said with the increase in Fourways traffic, this move is great for the community.

“We definitely need something like this in Fourways, because imagine just jumping on the train to pop to the airport, or wherever you want to go.

“I think it’s going to put Fourways on the map even more, which means the businesses will thrive in the area. I think Gautrain needs to come out and have some public meetings and just talk to the people about the value it’s going to bring.”

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