Automobile Association criticises Gautrain expansion plans
The Automobile Association (AA) has strongly criticized the proposed expansion route of the Gautrain announced recently by Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo.
The proposed phase one route will run through various areas, including Little Falls, Zandspruit, Cosmo City, Northriding, Bryanston, Olivedale and Randburg with the Sandton and Marlboro stations being upgraded.
The Gautrain has long been praised for its speed and convenience, but the AA says the expansion will only benefit the privileged and cost taxpayers billions of rand due to a shortfall.
The AA said the decision to expand the Gautrain underscored the poor financial decision to allocate funds to a failing system.
It has called on the national government to halt any discussions regarding the funding of such expansions.
Spokesperson Layton Beard said, “Any expansion of Gautrain perpetuates the system which caters for a minority of citizens. All the while costing Gauteng taxpayers billions of rands to prop up, through the so called patronage guarantee, which compensates the system for low ridership levels.”
He says that since 2013, Gauteng taxpayers have funded the shortfall of riders on the Gautrain by close on R13 billion.
When considering the serious economic challenges in SA, the fact that taxpayer money is used to compensate a failing system is outrageous. #Gautrain is a vanity project of the province and not a sustainable public transport solution. 👇 #SupportTheCause https://t.co/QD7uCorOAm
— AA South Africa (@AASouthAfrica) June 2, 2022
-EWN
In other news – Drama as Somizi demands his money back after spending R30 000 on a night out with friends
Media personality Somizi Mhlongo revealed that he made his entourage pay him back R3000 each after he footed a R30 000 bill on a night out in Cape Town, on the latest episode of his reality show which was released on Showmaxon Wednesday 1 June.
Somizi Mhlongo revealed that he asked his entourage to each pay him back R3000 after he was left to foot a R30 000 bill on a night out in Cape Town – in a conversation with his friend Ndo Maleho. Learn More
