Date: 3 October 2011

The Gautrain, Gauteng's rapid rail network, has been a huge step towards propelling the province's transport system into the 21st century.  It has two tracks - one operating between Pretoria and Johannesburg, and one operating between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, a major business hub in the province. Stations en route include Rosebank, Midrand and Park Station in Braamfontein.

There is also a Gautrain bus system which operates on the areas surrounding the stations, ferrying passengers between designated bus stops and the stations.

One of the major conveniences of the system is that travellers can now avoid traffic and the hassle of arranging taxis or other transport to and from the airport.  The Gautrain takes a meagre 15 minutes between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton. Operating hours are between 05h30 and 20h30, and trains run every 12 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours.

Passengers use a card-based system through which they top up their Gautrain card with credit, which can then be used for travel on the trains or busses.  Fares are also relatively affordable, and a trip between OR Tambo International Airport and Rosebank station costs R115.00.  A metre taxi between OR Tambo International Airport and Rosebank would cost in the region of R180.00 to R250.00.