The Gautrain service between Rosebank and Park Station in Johannesburg remains suspended after unauthorized drilling led to soil and water seeping into the underground tunnel. In response, operators have increased bus services along the affected route.
Gautrain management announced that buses will operate every 15 minutes between the two stations from 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM daily as a temporary solution while repairs are underway.
The rail section was closed on Saturday when a train driver observed soil and water infiltrating the tunnel. Investigations later revealed that a property owner above the tunnel had illegally drilled a 50-meter borehole, violating local regulations.
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Tshepo Kgobe, a senior executive at the Gautrain Management Agency, told Newzroom Afrika that legal action is being pursued against the property owner for multiple bylaw violations, including breaching the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act.
Kgobe emphasized that any form of digging or drilling requires prior approval from city authorities to avoid damage to transport infrastructure.
Gauteng’s MEC for Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, visited the site on Sunday to oversee repair efforts. However, no official timeline has been given for the completion of the work.
In a statement, Gautrain urged all stakeholders to follow proper procedures when undertaking land-use changes or construction near transport infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While the majority of Gautrain’s 90km high-speed rail network runs above ground, sections near Johannesburg’s city center operate underground, making them vulnerable to such disruptions.
