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 current old, 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 provide for the 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:
• new in-floor lifting system (synchronised retractable train lifting jacks);
• new universal lifting system, which allows for the synchronised lifting of different types of trains;
• underfloor wheel lathe, which enables wheel set profiling in situ; and
• yard signaling, 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
The team is finalising all planning with regard to the depot modernisation programme, which will result in the temporary relocation of staff and depot activities to alternative sites to maintain the current service levels during the upgrade.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
KPMG, Gibb Engineering and Science, Interfleet Technology and Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs (ENS – feasibility study), Gibela Rail Transportation, comprising Alstom and its black economic-empowerment equity partners (Phase 1 – rolling stock supply contract).

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 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.