Earlier, the Bombela Concession Company said they are willing to accelerate the project by three weeks at a cost of R1.3-billion (€117-million). The Gauteng government turned down the offer and even suggested that the consortium was profiteering above the national interest.

Bombela has since offered government a cheaper alternative that may see the Guatrain running in time for the World Cup.

“The modified scope for phase one represents an alternative and more affordable solution,” said Bombela CEO Jerome Govender on Tuesday.

Bombela has not revealed the cost of the alternative proposal to the public.

“It’s a pity that they will not use the World Cup to show off the project. Money means more to them than such considerations,” said deputy transport minister Jeremy Cronin at the time.

While the government was aware that Gautrain was not a 2010 project, for over a year it has expressed a desire to move the completion of the link between OR Tambo Airport and Sandton forward from 27 June 2010 to be ready before the World Cup kick-off on 11 June 2010.