Gautrain to continue under public-private partnership after government takeover

The Gautrain will continue running under a public-private partnership (PPP) The Gautrainwill continue running under a public-private partnership (PPP) even after the Gauteng government officially takes ownership of the high-speed rail system later this month. IOL previously reported thatGauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maileannounced that the Gautrain will officially be handed over to theGauteng Provincial Governmenton 28 March 2026. announced that the Gautrain will officially be handed over to the This comes as the provincial government has finalised all outstanding financial obligations tied to the public-private partnership agreement, effectively concluding the 19.5-year Bombela concession and securing the rail system as a fully paid provincial asset.

However, the Department of Roads and Transport and the Gautrain Management Agencysaidthat the rail system will continueoperatingunder a PPP, with a new 15-year concession already in advancednegotiation. However, the Department of Roads and Transport and the Gautrain Management Agency under a PPP, with a new 15-year concession already in advanced “As the current concession agreement approaches its conclusion, the process of appointing a new private partner to operate, maintain, refurbish, upgrade and modernise the Gautrain system for the next 15 years is at an advanced stage of negotiation”. The private partner, Bombela Concession Company (Pty) Ltd (BCC), currently manages the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Gautrain under the existing 19½-year concession.