PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) announced their new rail modernisation strategy on 5 April.
The large scale project includes the acquisition of R97bn worth of new rolling stock with an ‘urgent’ need to replace their 1960’s fleet.
Their spokesperson said that; “Metrorail and long-distance rail services will serve as the catalyst for the implementation of a major rail investment plan.”
The ambitious programme to invest in new rolling stock and locomotives will be over a period of 18 years to enable SA to ‘significantly increase the country’s passenger rail transport network and offer new routes throughout South Africa.’
PRASA said they had begun to roll out its National Signalling Upgrade Programme and that their modernisation of their fleet needs to go ‘in hand’ with infrastructure investment.
The ‘entire rail system has reached the end of its life’ and needs to be replaced, PRASA said.
They confirmed that they would need international funding to complete the project.
The Government has put in place a R20bn tax incentive to promote industrial investment through new manufacturing facilities and the expansion and upgrading of existing factories.
PRASA aims to complete a feasibility study by June 2011 and then the commencement of the procurement process once Cabinet Approval is obtained. In August 2012, the preferred bidder is to be announced and the contracts could be signed later that year.
The first of the over 6000 new vehicles will enter service in 2015.
Many of these will be EMUs for the Metrorail services which cover much of the major urban areas of South Africa, whilst 2000 will be hauled coaches for Shosholoza Meyl’s intercity fleet.
