Prasa R136bl rolling stock programme plans underway

Rail industry news site Rail.co reports that preparations for the procurement of new rolling stock by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) are already underway. As part of the R136bl acquisition programme, Prasa will now be embarking on a Local Supplier Market Survey to 'measure the strength and capacity of the local industry in fulfilling the 65% localisation minimum target by all qualifying tender bids'.

16 Feb 2012

Lucky Montana, Prasa Group CEO, said that the agency will use the Local Supplier Market Survey to ascertain the technical capabilities of South African Rolling stock manufacturers (RSM), allowing RSMs from other countries to structure their partnerships with South African companies "in respect to Government's minimum 65% localisation target, job creation and skills development imperatives," Montana said. According to Rail.co, Local RSMs have until March 2012 to contribute to the survey.

Earlier this month, Engineering News reported that Prasa hopes to have the first trains in the multibillion-rand project delivered in 2015. A detailed feasibility study for the Prasa project was completed in June last year, concluding that 7 224 Metrorail coaches are required nationally to meet passenger demand. Prasa operates the Metrorail and Shosoloza Meyl rail services. In comparison, Engineering News says, the entire Gautrain project, rolling stock plus construction, currently carries a price tag of around R30-billion.

Read the full article on www.rail.co.
Read the full article on www.engineeringnews.co.za.