The multi-million dollar South African rapid rail service, Gautrain, has opened to the public for the first time.

The Tuesday morning launch, which followed the official Gautrain launch over the weekend, signalled the start of the commercial operation of the service, just three days out from the start of the FIFA World Cup, where it will be placed under considerable strain from supporters and holidaymakers.

Executives with the Gautrain Management Agency hailed the launch as an exciting start to what would be a great day, with motorist’s filling station carparks and lengthy queues experienced as passengers flocked to gain their first glimpse of the high-speed technology.

The first official commercial Gautrain service left at 05:24 from Sandton, bound for OR Tambo International Airport, with the first airport departure at 05:30. This rail link is pivotal in the overall success of the World Cup, with the service linking OR Tambo to downtown Johannesburg, which hosts both opening and closing ceremonies – although work is still being completed on the Johannesburg Park station.

The link is also part of the first phase of the greater Gautrain project; which has to date included Marlboro and Rhodesfield stations in its operational launch. Passengers can purchase tickets from either ticket vending machines or over the ticket counter as they would any normal rail service, with fares priced at slightly higher than standard services.