Gautrain: Trial runs causing delay in opening to Pta

[Steve Appleton]

From The Times, 30 June 2011. http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/201 ... y-gautrain

Trial runs delay Gautrain
AMUKELANI CHAUKE | 30 June, 2011 00:03
There'll be a train every 12 minutes for passengers on the Gautrain between Hatfield, in Pretoria, and Johannesburg's Park Station. The journey will take a mere 35 minutes

The launch of the Johannesburg-Pretoria leg of the Gautrain has been set back by "several weeks" as the Railway Safety Regulator wants emergency and safety trial runs done on the system.

Letsane Rathaba, the regulator's GM, said after their last interaction with Gautrain officials on Tuesday night, they agreed that the train would only be on its tracks only once "rigorous" trial runs have been finalised.

"The certification might not be finalised for another several weeks, but it will not be later than the end of July," he said.

He said tests to ensure there was a radio link-up between the trains' drivers and the control centre needed to be conducted as communication between the two would be key in case the train stops running.

Rathaba also said they needed to conduct further tests on the train's supporting emergency system.

Errol Braithwaite, an executive at the Bombela Concession Company, said the date for the opening of phase two would be announced once trial runs had been completed, but did not specify how long they could take.

"Final operational checks, emergency and environmental procedures and safety certification are currently under way," said Braithwaite.

[Rob Jamieson]

They were supposed to have started operating today and I was hoping to take a trip from Hatfield to Johannesburg sometime over the weekend. Looks like my plans have been dashed. Why does this not supprise me?