French company Thales, which designs electricity systems, is the favourite to manage the overhaul of Metrorail’s signalling systems, which will end up as a multibillion rand deal.

Metrorail announced earlier this year that it would be acquiring more than 7 000 new coaches over a period of 20 years.

The much needed revamp of the signalling systems will start as early as October in Durban and Cape Town.

Metrorail’s shaky service record has recently been brought to light, so the plan to overhaul the entire rail infrastructure is great news. Commuters say the main reason they are late for work is because of a shortage in available trains and vandalism. With all of the new coaches coming in, this should increase the efficiency of the service.

In March, the Western Cape Transport MEC, Robin Carlisle, threatened legal action against the rail company if it did not improve its service levels.