SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - South Africa's new rapid train takes off ahead of the World Cup

Record ID: 455665

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - WORLD CUP 2010 - South Africa's new rapid train takes off ahead of the World Cup
  • Date: 9th June 2010
  • Summary: MORE OF PASSENGERS SEATED INSIDE THE TRAIN MORE OF PEOPLE INSIDE THE TRAIN
  • Embargoed: 24th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAB695T6BODYFO93URTFCCKRY8O
  • Story Text: The Gautrain officially opened to the public on Tuesday (June 8) , transporting its first paying passengers from the upscale financial district of Sandton to the OR Tambo International Airport.
    Travelling at 160 kilometres per hour, it only took 15 minutes to travel from Sandton to the airport.
    The trip would normally take an average of one hour.
    Passengers cheered as the train moved for its first ever trip at 03:24GMT.
    "It was very comfortable, silent in a way, not like your normal train and less shaky. It was really really cool. I had a nice time. Thank you Gauteng government, thank you for the train," said Johannesburg resident Oratile.
    But it's not cheap.
    A return trip to the airport from Sandton costs nearly USD30.
    Barry Bramley brought his family along to experience an exhilarating ride.
    He said he had a problem getting tickets, but the ride was worth the trouble.
    "It was great. It was a mess on the ticket side, and they weren't prepared. The train was great -- they obviously tested it. The parking and the tickets -- no one tested it, I think," said Bramley.
    The first phase links OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton is vital for Johannesburg, which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the World Cup, running from June 11 to July 11.
    Rhodesfield and Marlboro stations were also operational.
    As part of phase two, the construction on the route from Sandton to Johannesburg Park Station, and from Sandton to Hatfield in Pretoria will also operate.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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