SA launches bidding process for R123 billion rolling stock
Minister
Sibusiso Ndebele has formally invited manufacturers of rolling stock to
submit their bids to win the right to build 7 224 commuter coaches for
Metrorail, estimated at R123 billion.
The launch of the
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s (Prasa’s) request for proposals
(RFP) for new rolling stock marked the dawn of a new era for public
transport in the country, said Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele.
The
Minister said the new trains would "be similar to trains you see in
major cities of the world, in Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Brazil,
Portugal, and many developed countries. These modern trains are commonly
defined by greater passenger mobility, automatic train protection and
high quality of crashworthiness as critical safety features: carrying
capacity is high, they are energy efficient and very light, largely
based on aluminium rather than heavy steel".
Earlier this year,
Government announced the first R5 billion allocation to PRASA out of a
budgeted R137 billion. Out of the R 5 billion allocation, R 4 billion
has been reserved for the procurement of the first new rolling stock
while the R 1 billion will be used for the upgrading of rail
infrastructure such as signaling, the upgrading and building of new
depots to name a few – the first over a period of 20 years.
The
preferred bidder will be expected to meet a localisation target of 65%,
set up a factory in South Africa and employ local people.
The first trains are expected to arrive in 2015.
Prasa rolling stock
