The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expressed outrage on Wednesday at Bombela Concession Company's reported demand for more money to complete the first phase of the Gautrain project.

"No extra money should be handed to Bombela. All available resources should be pumped into improving the public transport services used by the majority," Cosatu said in a statement.

According to reports, the Gauteng government and Bombela would have to re-negotiate their contract if the airport link of the R25-billion Gautrain project was to be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

This meant a new contract would have to be negotiated and more resources required in order for the first phase to be finished three weeks after the start of the event (as per the existing contract).

"If the report is true, this would mean an even bigger burden falling on taxpayers, only a minority of whom will be likely to use the train," Cosatu said.

"Cosatu has from the onset condemned the spending of so much money on a transport system that will only serve the rich."

Sapa