​Rofhiwa Marubini
2020/06/08​
It has been exactly ten years since the 80 km commuter rail Gautrain,  took its first journey from  Sandton Station to the OR Tambo International Airport station. 
 Even though it was the first commercial service, many of the passengers on board knew that they will reach their destination on time. 
The day was filled with excitement as South Africa's first rapid rail airport service had been delivered and the face of public transport had been changed. 
After ten years of operation and close to 125 million train passenger trips and 38 million bus passenger trips, the Gautrain continues to offer a safe, reliable and convenient public transport service.  
Since its inception, the Gautrain has changed the lives of many people through job creation and social investment, influencing their transport choices, reinforcing developmental notes, integrating regions and communities, and changing perceptions and attracting investment. 
Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO, William Dachs said: "Gautrain is more than just a train, it is an economic infrastructure project that has contributed to Gauteng's economy. For every R1 spent on Gautrain, R1.72 had been added to the Gauteng economy."