France's Alstom awarded R49.8b PRASA contract

Sowetan Live reports that, under the ten-year programme, Alstom will build 3600 new train cars to help overhaul South Africa's outdated rail network. The first batch of trains is expected to be delivered in mid-2015.

Lucky Montana, chief executive of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) said that the contract will also create around 33,000 jobs, with Alstom required to build a manufacturing plant in South Africa. Montana added the French company was chosen over rival bidders because of its competitive pricing and technological ability." He did not give details on the pricing of Alstom's bid, Sowetan Live says.

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