The planned R12billion monorail from Soweto to Johannesburg will afford commuters another choice of transport, the DA said yesterday.

The planned R12billion monorail from Soweto to Johannesburg will afford commuters another choice of transport, the DA said yesterday.

DA Gauteng spokesman on transport James Swart said the party was pleased with this initiative because Soweto commuters had, over the years, had too few choices of public transport.

"We are also pleased the government is trying to get private capital to fund infrastructure development," Swart said.

"If private capital is prepared to put up its own money for a business, we are comforted that there is a strong business case for the project.

"We believe government-funded initiatives risk being less viable as they are driven by political considerations rather than by considerations of sustainability."

The initiative is a partnership between a Malaysian company, Newcyc Vision, and the Gauteng Economic Development Agency.

The monorail will run from Soweto to Johannesburg via Nasrec. - Sapa