Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says that more than 60 rolling stock manufacturers and their partner companies have bought tender documents for contracts to replace the Metrorail commuter emu fleet.

The two 10-year contracts to design and supply 7224 vehicles will be worth up to Rand 123bn ($US 15.65bn) and the closing date for bid proposals is September 10. Delivery of trains under the first contract will run from 2015 to 2025, while the second contract will cover 2025-35.

Prasa CEO Mr Lucky Montana says principal European and Asian suppliers have demonstrated their interest in the project.
A full report on the Metrorail fleet renewal programme will appear in the June issue of IRJ.