Jack van der Merwe, CEO, Gautrain Management Agency, South Africa

Speaker Biograghy: Jack has a BSc. (Eng.) Civil and BSc (Eng.) (Hons.). He is also a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s SED programme. He has been providing a service to the public transport sector for more than 41 years. Jack was appointed as project leader for the Gautrain project. Working with endurance and tolerance on the project for the last 15 years, he has provided solutions to many challenges and ensured that Gautrain has become a project of national significance. In 2011 he was elected UATP President, and Vice President of UITP. He also serves as a member of the UITP Policy Board. In 2011 he was appointed to head up a team tasked with developing an 25-year integrated transport master plan for the Province of Gauteng. In 2012 he was appointed as project leader for the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis project.


Day 1 - 25 March
Session:
Airport Cities and Transport Connections


12:30 - 13:00 - Aerotropolis – a working model for development in Africa?
Synopsis: The concept of aerotropolis has been identified as one of the projects that will have an impact on the growth trajectory, and a vehicle that will reposition the City of Ekurhuleni to attract investment and create jobs. The value proposition for the city can be summarised into two parts: the city is home to OR Tambo International Airport, the busiest airport on the African continent, and is also the manufacturing hub of the country. It is vital that the aerotropolis concept forms a strategic link between the two.

Audience will learn:
Day 2 - 26 March
Session:
Airport Cities and Transport Connections


15:15 - 15:40 - Gautrain: a case study in managing PPPs
Synopsis: As a public private partnership (PPP), Gautrain is managed according to a concession agreement and has three main phases. The first two of these phases were Procurement and Concession Development, which took place from 2001 to 2006. The last is the Operation and Maintenance phase, which is for a 15.5-year period. The Concession drivers were: risk transfer, value for money and affordability, performance and penalty regime, patronage guarantee concepts and fare structuring guidelines. Key elements during the phases were demand and revenue forecasting, route planning, management of third parties and utilities, environment and public participation.

Audience will learn:
Day 2 - 26 March
Session:
Airport Cities and Transport Connections


17:05 - 17:35 - Panel Discussion: Key topics raised from presentations so far
Synopsis: The Conference Chairs and panel of experts will address key topics presented over the past two days affecting the future of airport cities and transport connections.