The bidding process for the provision of 48 new Gautrain coaches has begun in a lucrative R3.5-billion deal‚ which is aimed at meeting the ever-increasing number of passengers of the train.

The Gautrain passenger numbers have been increasing by 26% year-on-year‚ which has forced the Bombela Concession Company to invite suppliers for the new stock to submit a compliant request for qualification.

This bidding process is for the appointment of a company which will design‚ manufacture‚ supply and maintain 12 electrical trains. The deal also includes the design and construction of depot infrastructure for the Gautrain system.

Seven companies have been shortlisted‚ two of which are local.

As the deal takes place in tough economic conditions‚ the funding for this project will not come from the coffers of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport but has been secured “in principle” through a loan issued by the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

The loan will be channelled to the Gautrain Management Agency to pay for the rolling stock and is expected to be repaid through revenue generated from rides.

The Gautrain currently transports 1.4 million passengers a month and is operating way beyond its capacity‚ just six years after beginning operations. During peak hours‚ the trains are full and operate at 150% of their capacity.

Gauteng MEC of transport Ismail Vadi said the new rolling stock and supporting infrastructure is expected to sustain 9 000 jobs in the province and an R450-million increase in government revenue is projected.

“The increase is the usage of the Gautrain shows that commuters are making a conscious shift from private car use to public transport‚ which is in line with the vision set out in our 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan‚” Vadi said.

– TMG Digital/TMG Local Government Team (Penwell Dlamini)