Pretoria - Johannesburg in 40 minutes on Africa's fastest train
In South Africa, Bombela Operating Company, a local subsidiary of RATP Dev, operates the highly strategic Gautrain, a rapid rail link between Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport.
RATP Dev Johannesburg in key figures:
2
train lines
100%
passenger satisfaction
80
kilometers of track
500+
employees
45
bus and midibus routes
10
multimodal stations
Africa's fastest regional train
With a top speed of 160 km/h, the Gautrain (a contraction of the name of the province of Gauteng and train) is the fastest regional train in Africa. It connects Pretoria, South Africa's political capital, to Johannesburg, its economic heartland, in less than 40 minutes.
Commissioned in 2010 by Bombela Operating Company (BOC), a 63% subsidiary of RATP Dev, this rail network has made it possible to reduce travel time by a factor of three between the two cities, a journey that can take 2 hours by car. The 80 km line is in the shape of a Y and runs from Park Station in the center of Johannesburg to either OR Tambo International Airport or Pretoria.
In addition to these strategic services, the Gautrain represents the backbone of public transport in the province with its 10 stations, which are also multimodal platforms, situated at connection points with roads (P+R park-and-ride facilities) and the regional bus network (also partly operated by RATP Dev).
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A structuring network for the region
The strategic role of the Gautrain line requires a very high level of operational quality to guarantee the regularity and safety of trains. This is the mission that has been perfectly fulfilled for more than 15 years by Bombela Operating Company, which benefits from all of RATP Dev's expertise in the operation and maintenance of sensitive networks.
The availability rate of the Gautrain is more than 99%, meaning that the service is operational and accessible to passengers more than 96% of the time it is expected to be. This indicator reflects the network's ability to operate without interruption, without major outages and by ensuring a service offer that aligns with the defined schedules.
The Bombela Operating Company's excellence has been recognized several times, including at the end of 2024: the RATP Dev subsidiary received the Train Operator of the Year award at the first edition of the Rail Industry Awards hosted by South Africa's Railways Safety Regulator.
Bombela Operating Company is proud to change the face of mobility in South Africa: connecting people, empowering communities, and driving regional development through the Gautrain. Our mission is clear: move customers daily in a safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible way while exceeding expectations. For 15 years, we’ve been growing in Africa, with Africa.
Nthabiseng Kubheka
General Manager RATP Dev South Africa
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