South Africa’s first bullet train means you’ll be able to travel a 500 km loop from Limpopo to Gauteng in the blink of an eye. Better still, major steps towards its highly anticipated 2030 completion are being made.
The Limpopo-Gauteng Speed Train Project was first announced in 2023 and is now entering feasibility and environmental impact assessment. As such, these studies will determine whether the project is safe, environmentally sound and economically viable.
SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST BULLET TRAIN
The launch of South Africa’s first bullet train is being led by both national and provincial government, along with a consortium of private and foreign investors. The Department of Transport says one key challenge it has identified is land acquisition along the planned 500 km route.
Therefore, successful negotiations with communities and landowners in Limpopo and Gauteng must still take place before South Africa’s first bullet train comes to life. However, if all goes to plan, construction is expected to begin next year, in late 2026, reports BusinessTech.
HOW FAST WILL IT BE?
According to reports, South Africa’s first bullet train will significantly reduce travel time along the route. Currently, a six-hour journey by car from Pretoria to Polokwane would take just 90 minutes on South Africa’s first bullet train. And that will include multiple stops in the likes of, Hammanskraal, Bela-Bela, Mokopane, Louis Trichardt, and Musina.
Using a phased approach, the train is expected to exceed 200 km/h on specific segments of the route. And then travel at a slower speed between frequent stops, attaining an average speed of approximately 175 km/h between Pretoria and Polokwane.
FASTEST HIGH-SPEED RAIL (HSR) GLOBALLY
While South Africa’s first bullet train won’t match the speeds of others globally, it still technically qualifies as one:
| TRAIN | COUNTRY | YEAR | TOP SPEED |
| Maglev | China | 2003 | 311 km/h |
| CRH380A | China | 2010 | 302 km/h |
| Transrapid | Germany | 2008 | 279 km/h |
| Shinkansen | Japan | 1964 | 275 km/h |
| TGV | France | 1992 | 236 km/h |
GAUTENG INVESTING BILLIONS
Furthermore, Gauteng government has already committed R120 billion towards expanding its rail network over the next five years. Not only does this include South Africa’s first bullet train, but also six new areas in Gautrain’s revived rail network. It also says it hopes to see PRASA’s commuter network reach 600-million passenger journeys annually by 2030.
However, cost estimates for South Africa’s first bullet train are high. This single line alone is said to cost in the region of R530 billion. Quite rightly, this is raising serious questions about funding and long-term feasibility. It will also not be the only one on the African continent. Morocco received a high-speed TGV back in 2018.
DO YOU THINK A BULLET TRAIN WILL WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA?
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