More trains for Gautrain

[Gag Halfrunt]

A new operating concession has been awarded for the Gautrain network in South Africa, and one of the requirements for the new concessionaire is to introduce eight new trains and refurbish the existing Electrostar fleet. Alstom is part of the winning consortium.

More trains and greater integration planned as next Gautrain operating concession awarded

SOUTH AFRICA: Gauteng Provincial Government has awarded the Sihamba Sonke Mobility consortium the next contract to operate, maintain and refurbish the 80 km Gautrain passenger rail network connecting Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport. Gautrain Management Agency said there...

www.railwaygazette.com

SOUTH AFRICA: Gauteng Provincial Government has awarded the Sihamba Sonke Mobility consortium the next contract to operate, maintain and refurbish the 80 km Gautrain passenger rail network connecting Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport.

Gautrain Management Agency said there will be a ‘renewed focus on investment, modernisation, operational sustainability, improved passenger experience and stronger integration with the province’s broader public transport network’.

Sihamba Sonke Mobility consortium

The SSM consortium brings together RATP Dev, Alstom, a joint venture of investors AIIM and Motseng, AWCA Investment Holdings, GIBB-CREDE and SSM InvestCo.

RATP Dev has operated and maintained Gautrain through its Bombela Operating Co subsidiary since the standalone 1 435 mm gauge network was launched in 2010.

It said the new 15-year contract which came into effect on September 28 would combine the experience of its skilled local workforce with access to its global network of rail specialists and international best practice.

Alstom is the maintenance partner for the current concession. Its share of the new contract is valued at €800m, and includes refurbishment and modernisation of the existing fleet, a new signalling system, communications upgrades and long term rail maintenance services.

Alstom Ubunye in Nigel will supply eight electric multiple-units, adding to the original fleet built by Bombardier Transportation in the UK.

Planned improvements

Improvements planned during the next contract period include:

increased train frequency during weekday off-peak periods;
extended operating hours;
expansion of the fleet from 24 to 32 four-car EMUs;
upgraded trains with improved passenger amenities;
improved integration between Gautrain trains and feeder bus services, with additional feeder routes and midibuses;
upgrades to stations, facilities and depots;
improved security and passenger information systems;
expanded public wi-fi and improved digital services;
full backup power provision for stations;
a planned 30% renewable energy contribution across stations and depots;
progressive introduction of account-based ticketing and an integrated Mobility-as-a-Service digital platform;
investing in workforce training and future rail talent;
supporting localisation and South African skills development;
deploying digital tools and predictive maintenance technologies to improve performance and reliability.

Pierre Cicion, Vice President Middle East & Africa at RATP Dev, said Gautrain is a ‘benchmark for passenger rail in Africa’, and ‘together with our South African partners, we look forward to supporting its future development through local talent, innovation and multimodal integration, while creating lasting value for Gauteng and its communities’.

Alstom Southern Africa Managing Director Tristan le Masne said ‘travellers will benefit from more frequent train service and smoother connections across the network. Together with our consortium partners, we are committed to delivering a better travel experience for South Africans.’

The Railway Gazette report states that the new trains will be built by Alstom Ubunye in Nigel, Gauteng. This is the factory that, under previous ownership, assembled the original Gautrain Electrostars from kits shipped from Derby. Given the small scale of the new order, I wonder if Alstom will take the same approach and supply Aventras in kit form for local assembly. (Alstom's marketing department would no doubt insist on calling them Adessia Streams.) The lead time for the order ought to be quite short because more Class 345s are being built right now. If I'm right, I imagine that the new Gautrain trains would be based on the Class 720, which has a seating layout and comfort level similar to Gautrain's Electrostars.