NEW BUSINESS EXPRESS

Posted on 21 May 2009

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Metrorail’s new Tshwane 2nd Business Express, a non-stop service from Johannesburg to Pretoria and back, is to be launched on 1 June 2009. Travelling at speeds up to 120km/h, it will carry commuters between the two main stations in under 60 minutes, connecting with a dedicated bus between Pretoria station and the CBD. The 520-seat, intercity service will operate at least six trips in both directions daily, complementing the existing Tshwane Business Express. Bookings open on 25 May.   The Gauteng Metrorail Region was the first to pioneer a fast luxury commuter train with the introduction of the Soweto Business Express in 2007. Similar concepts have been rolled out in Cape Town subsequently in the form of the Khayelitsha and Premium (Strand) Business Express operations.

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Tags | Business Express, Metrorail, PRASA

View Comments to “NEW BUSINESS EXPRESS”

Delene says:

12/11/2009 at 15:57

I am so excited with this news of this train. It makes me want to stay in South Africa and not packing for Perth… good luck!
Christo says:

20/10/2009 at 17:27

Hi Congrats, it is about time. two questions how safe is it for white female traveling alone? and is it possible to get the same overnight service to cape town, I am sure it will be cheaper than flights
- Station Master says:
  
  23/10/2009 at 07:43
  
  The Business Express is a Metro Train. Yes it is safe on the Business Express, plenty of security. As for an overnight to Cape Town. That is a different train service, and it most definitely is cheaper than flying. Whats more is that you get to experience our beautiful country by the most leisurely transport mode there is, train.
Willie de Beer says:

08/10/2009 at 10:43

120 km/h on a line that is designed and signalled for 90 km/h? This is something new. Has the line and associated signalling been upgraded?
- Station Master says:
  
  11/10/2009 at 07:34
  
  Ever since it was reconstructed in 1937 in advance of electrification, the Germiston-Pretoria line allowed speeds of 96km/h (60mph), even though for several decades the intermediate stations relied on mechanically worked points & signals. During the eighties, track improvements permitted higher speeds, with the Metroblitz express doing Jbg-Pretoria in 42 minutes, compared with the previous best timing of 65 minutes. In recent years much of the line has been quadrupled while signals and points are now electrically worked under CTC.
Lizaan says:

22/09/2009 at 08:14

Hi!

I just recently found out about the Business Express and it sounds wonderful. I work in Denver JHB and live in PTA and well the traffic is a nightmare… what I want to know is how do the shuttles work? Do they only go certain routes? Or do they go where ever the people need to them to go?

Thanks!
- Station Master says:
  
  22/09/2009 at 08:21
  
  Hi Lizaan, I suggest you contact Metrorail’s Business Express Help desk: 012 315 2007/8.
  
  They will be able to provide the information you are looking for. And yes the Business Express is wonderful. A relaxing and pleasant commute that suits the pocket. No two ways about it if you commute daily between PTA and JHB, its a no brainer.
lebo says:

21/08/2009 at 09:23

I use the TBE every day since January and I love the experience, the convenience, etc., but my concern is the departure time from JHB to Pretoria in the afternoons. The two trains leave at more or less the same which makes the the first train to be full to capacity and and the second train half empty. Is it possible to adjust the the departure times, say the first train leave between 16H25, nd the second train remain at 17h25, that way we will have one hour in between the two trains and it will really make business sense because both trains will have passengers. What I have observed the second train is mostly being used by the Sandton shuttle people due to traffic but somtimes they manage catch the first train.
D Malanda says:

31/07/2009 at 12:17

I used the train from JHb to Pretoria today, and i was impressed by the stewards or hostess. One of them i think is Marcus or Jabulani the guy was good. But the train is not properly marketed and a lot of pple would use this service in the morning if it was properly advertised, i didnt know that there was a service from JHB to pretoria in the morning untill someone told me that a new train was introduced in June if am not mistaken, am also a bit dissapointed in that there is no adequate or proper signage to direct or inform pple to the platform with the ealiest departing business express train. I was told platform 11 and 12 by the ticket officer. So i went to platform 11 looked for information on the notice boards or walls about which of the two platforms will exactly be used for the earliest departing train zero. but i used common sense and went to platform 12 when it arrived from pretoria.
Another issue is how can i get information about shuttle bus routes in Johannesburg in the moring for transfers to park station. And can we have a train departing a bit late in pretoria 5:00pm or 5:10pm will accomodate nealry everyone. All in all it was a very good and pleasent experience keep up the good work guys, i think we are ready for 2010. We arrived in Pretoria i think in 45 to 50min time very impressive i must say.
Bongi M says:

28/07/2009 at 15:43

I would like to find out if the train is going to be available tomorrow? When will the tickets be available for August?
- Station Master says:
  
  29/07/2009 at 08:13
  
  We are not sure with the Metrorail strikes if the service is running. However in normal circumstances it does run everyday. Tickets are available from the Pretoria station.
Lee ann says:

23/07/2009 at 07:58

Hi, I live in Midrand and would like to use the train, can you please advise if is available for people staying in Midrand? After all, thats where there is most traffic.
- Station Master says:
  
  26/07/2009 at 11:01
  
  @Lee Ann, The Business Express is available for everyone, its a PRASA initiative. Its main route is Pretoria Station to Johannesburg Station. It stops en route at Centurion Station and Kempton Park Station.
  
  I know all about Midrand. If they are not digging up cables that have just been put down then its the normal traffic chaos. No PRASA rail infrastructure is close to the vicinity of Midrand. But there is hope, Gautrain… and Midrand gets its very own station.
Dipuo Phateng says:

24/06/2009 at 14:17

I am excited by the Express service to Pretoria, but the times it travels in are not convinient for us commuters, i start work at 07:30 and knocks off at 16:00 so the trail will make me late and leave early at work daily. Is it possible to move the times a bit that the departure time be JHB – 06:30 and depart Pta atleast at 16:30. I mean even if you start work at 08:00 and knocks off at 16:00 the train is not accomodative of that. I do not know of a shift of 08:30 – 15:30 it 7hrs a day and our normal day is 8hrs. We really want to support the service but is not convinient.
Mr Petrus Swanepoel says:

09/06/2009 at 10:47

It is good, please advice how to purchase tickets for travel on the Business Express. Is secure parking available at stations?
- Station Master says:
  
  24/06/2009 at 16:15
  
  Yes there is secure parking at the stations. Please contact Business Express Contact Number: 012 315 2007/8 regarding train times and pricing.