Multi-billion rand project to replace SA's trains gathers steam

According to the Cape Times, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) said during a presentation to Parliament that a planned major revamp of Cape Town's rail system will include the modernisation of the national rail system and the replacement of all trains and the construction of new depots and stations. Subject to the government approving its budget, the R123 billion project is set to create 65 000 jobs.

4 Nov 2011

Prasa chief executive Lucky Montana told Parliament's portfolio committee on transport the roll-out of the system would start in three years and take 20 years to complete, he added that all trains would be replaced and that the Western Cape will get 1835 of 7224 new trains Prasa plans to acquire.

The committee, according to the Cape Times report, heard that 360 new coaches would be built annually for 20 years, and during this period 65 000 jobs would be created.

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