Gautrain Experience

Like many Gautengers, when the Gautrain went 'live' to the public in June 2010, I decided to 'make like a tourist' and get on the Gautrain to O.R Tambo. The difference was that I wasn't going on a leisurely jaunt for breakfast with a couple of friends, I really was flying out that morning at 6:45am. In retrospect, was somewhat of a risky move on my part.

The Convoluted Platform Process

At Marlboro station I bought my gold card and a one-way place on the train for R110. I made my way up the steps and at the platform asked a security official if I was on the right platform to O.R Tambo. He wasn't sure but said yes, this was the train that goes to the airport. Another security guard walked by and he said no, I must first go to the Sandton station because we couldn't go directly to the airport from here. A stately gentleman waiting on the platform said that he was definitely told that this was the right platform to get to the airport. Can you see how this got really confusing?

Riding the Train

It was just after 05:00. The train was due to arrive in 2 minutes. The only sign I could see on the platform I was on did say O.R. Tambo, but I wasn't quite convinced. Do I go back down to find an information box or ask the ticketing office to make sure, and risk missing the train, or do I stick with the majority vote? I decided to stick around with the stately gentleman.

When the train arrived, 3 passengers hopped on, the doors closed and it moved off. As quick as that. If I was even thinking of changing my mind and getting off, that thought left me as quick as that Gautrain sucked in and spat out passengers. It all happened so fast, for I remember as we all three still stood there, a train official was telling us that we are on the right train but we have actually got on the wrong platform. The train will be going to 'Ortia' but we won't be able to get off at 'Ortia' and that we will have to stay put and head back to get off at Sandton. From there we will have to get off the train, walk two carriages down, and get onto the same train, and then only will we be able to get off at 'Ortia'.

The Plot Thickens

By this time, the blood pressure was already climbing. If only this Gautrain official would stop saying blooming 'Ortia' already and tell us if we were on the right train to the blooming airport, known as O.R. Tambo. She kept pointing to the map above the door and telling us to study it. The two other passengers kept asking her what, who or where 'Ortia' was. And I studied the map.

Well, 'Ortia' was of course, O.R. Tambo International Airport. If the stately gentleman who turned out to be the vice-president of an airline didn't get it, my guess is the majority of foreign visitors ain't going to get it either. The map, though the equivalent of 1+1=2 compared to the London underground which can be equalled to advanced calculus in comparison, didn't offer an any real relief. I had a plane to catch, and if I was heading to the airport, why couldn't I get off at the airport? Why did I have to go all the way back to Sandton?

After convincing the 'Ortia' official, who stubbornly refused to give up on that word, that we were told at the Marlboro station to get on this train, she called her superiors, who we had to convince, and finally, with a sigh of relief, we were allowed to get off at O.R. Tambo, without going through the rigmarole that we would have had to. And thank goodness it was sorted out in time, because 12 minutes after getting on the Gautrain, it had arrived at O.R Tambo station.


What Went Wrong and 6 Things you Should Know When Travelling the Gautrain

1. Upon buying a gold card, this tell the ticketing official that it is your first time, in which he should direct you to the right platform.
2. One Gautrain Gold Card per person. Gold cards cannot be shared.
3. It may happen that your Gold Card won't register at the turnstiles. Allow another 5-15 minutes to your time for them to sort this out.
4. Security staff and officials do not necessarily know which platform is which. Make it your business to find out from the ticketing office.
5. Ortia means O.R. Tambo International Airport.
6. Remember that you travel via Sandton to the airport when you get onto a train at Marlboro station.

The Gautrain is marvellously fast, but if you have a plane to catch, give your self enough time to allow for knowledge-based hiccups. Poorly-trained staff is the biggest downfall of the system, and in time, I'm sure experience will rectify many issues. In the meantime, be conservative, especially at 05:00 in the morning.