Name and Location
New Rolling Stock Procurement Programme, nationwide, South Africa.

Client
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

Project Description
The Department of Transport, through PRASA, is to invest in a new rail rolling stock fleet-renewal programme across South Africa.

The programme will upgrade and expand the current rail infrastructure by introducing new stock for commuter rail service Metrorail and by offering more routes between destinations in South Africa.

The aim is to replace the old fleet, which has reached the end of its design life.

As part of the procurement programme, PRASA aims to upgrade and construct fully functional modern maintenance depots at Braamfontein, Wolmerton, Salt River, Durban Yard and Springfield, which will support and service PRASA’s new metro trains by the time the first new train sets are delivered in the first quarter of 2015. The new depots will meet maintenance demand of the new, increased fleet and PRASA’s existing metro trains, until 2034.

The modernisation will mainly consist of the refurbishment or upgrade of selected existing buildings, the construction of additional operational buildings and the reconstruction of the staging yards. The initial phase of the works will include the demolition of selected existing buildings in preparation for the upgrade.

The upgrade will result in the introduction of the following technologies at the depots to optimise operational efficiencies:
• a new in-floor lifting system (synchronised retractable train-lifting jacks);
• a new universal lifting system, which allows for the synchronised lifting of different types of trains;
• an underfloor wheel lathe, which enables wheel-set profiling on site; and
• yard signalling, to allow for the efficient control of train movements within the yards.

Value
R123-billion.

An extra R14.5-billion will be invested in signalling, new depots, modern stations and integrated ticketing.

Duration
The 20-year procurement process will comprise two periods – the first ten-year contract will run from 2015 and the second from 2025.

The first new trains are expected for delivery in 2015.

Latest Developments
South Africa is one step closer to delivering a multimodal, multifaceted, integrated, accessible and reliable transport system, as the first of 70 Spain-manufactured AFRO 4000-series locomotives are tested for power and functionality.

Following the unveiling of the long-haul passenger locomotive in Cape Town in December, PRASA hosted Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, PRASA chairperson Dr Popo Molefe, PRASA CEO Lucky Montana and members of the Portfolio Committee on Transport on an AFRO4001 locomotive-hauled Premier Classe train trip to Stellenbosch on January 12.

The showcase by PRASA was intended to demonstrate the new locomotives’ resilience, strength, reliability and speed.

Peters has said the rail renewal and modernisation would go a long way in dealing with the loss of faith in rail transport, owing to unreliable and unsafe commuter rail transportation, with high levels of overcrowding in trains and slow journey times.

Directed by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Committee strategic integrated projects one to five, the construction of new large rail lines is already under way, with the procurement process for the new rolling stock programme having been concluded.

Over R50-billion has been injected into the manufacture of 3 600 passenger coaches – equating to 600 trains – with another R3.5-billion set aside for the manufacture of high power, efficient, fast and reliable locomotives.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
KPMG, Gibb Engineering and Science, Interfleet Technology and Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS – feasibility study) and Gibela Rail Transportation, comprising Alstom and its black economic-empowerment equity partners (Phase 1 – rolling stock supply contract) and Siyahamba Engineering (manufacture of drivers’ cab doors for the first 200 PRASA trains); Columbus Steel (coils and sheets for the first 20 passenger train sets); and Vossloh (40 locomotives).

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
PRASA, Moffet Mofokeng, tel +27 12 748 7000 or email momofokeng@prasa.com.
KPMG corporate finance Walter Meyer, tel +27 21 408 7220 or email market.engagement@kpmg.co.za.
Gibb Engineering and Science, tel +27 11 519 4600 or fax +27 11 807 5670.
Interfleet Technology, tel +44 1332 223000 or fax +44 1332 223001.
ENS, tel +27 11 269 7600, fax +27 11 269 7899 or email info@ensafrica.com.
Alstom, tel +27 11 518 8100.
Gibela, Pamella Radebe, tel +27 11 518 8232 or email pamella.radebe@gibela-rail.com.
Siyahamba Engineering, tel +27 11 824 2183 or fax +27 11 824 3627.
Columbus Stainless, tel +27 13 247 9111 or fax +27 13 246 1681.
Vossloh, tel +49 23 92 52 608 or email presse@ag.vossloh.com.