The Bombardier Africa Alliance consortium has won a R1.1-billion contract to complete a conventional mainline resignalling project for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), says rail specialist Bombardier Transportation.

Bombardier Transportation is the lead member of the consortium, with its share of the contract valued at around R318- million.

The consortium’s other members are ERB Technologies, Basil Read, Bakara Engineering, R&H Railway Consultants, SIMS and Tractionel.

The consortium will deliver the Bombardier Interflo 200 rail control solution to Prasa, set for commissioning in 2017.

This is the first major delivery of Bombardier signalling technology to Prasa, says Bombardier in a statement. The new tech- nology will be delivered at 42 stations and across 120 km of double track.

It will enable a 2.5-minute headway between trains, eliminating bottlenecks, while increasing safety and availability, promises Bombardier.

The upgrade will also introduce the latest- generation, high-capacity Bombardier EBI Lock 950 computer-based interlocking Release 4 and EBI Screen 900 local central traffic control systems to the market and includes replacement of all wayside equip- ment.

Associated telecommunications equipment (fibre-optic backbone and voice radio) is also on the menu, while the civil works include modifications to existing platforms, track and overhead equipment, as well as new pedestrian bridges.

The project aims to create around 270 new jobs. “Supporting South Africa in modernising and strengthening its rail control systems is a very exciting project and an important milestone in creating a long-term local presence in South Africa,” says Bombardier Transportation Rail Control Solutions president Peter Cedervall.

“Prasa . . . is in a process of modernisation of its entire network to provide a first-class service to commuters in the largest metropolitan areas in South Africa,” adds Prasa signalling and telecommunications GM Sorin Baltac.

“The new signalling and telecommunication system will ensure the safety level, the frequency of the trains, and the traffic coordination required in a world-class rail commuter environment.”
Interflo 200 signalling solutions are typically used in busy mainline networks, where headways are reduced and higher safety levels required. It has been installed in countries such as Brazil, Russia and Thailand and across Europe.