Gautrain completes forty million kilometres in service
Bombardier Transportation’s Gautrain commuter fleet in South Africa has now completed forty million kilometres in service since operations began in 2010.
Bombardier delivered this intercity rapid rail link as a complete turnkey system with a fleet of 24 four-car Electrostar trains (96 vehicles). While the first few were bult at the Litchurch Lane plant in Derby, the majority were assembled in South Africa from CKD (completely knocked down) kitr sent from the UK.
Gautrain also used Bombardier’s Cityflo 250 train control system, for which the company has a contract for maintenance until 2026.
Makgola Makololo, managing director South Africa at Bombardier Transportation, said: “This is one of the most visionary projects that we have ever been involved in Africa and Gautrain set a new global benchmark for an innovative rail system that benefits local communities and people.
“As Africa’s first world-class, modern rapid rail service, as well as being the first semi-high-speed train on the continent, the Gautrain has made a positive impact in the lives of millions of Gauteng residents. We are proud of our highly reliable commuter fleet having completed around 900,000 trips on the Gautrain network, the equivalent of close to one million trips around the equator.”
She added, “This achievement is thanks to the close collaboration between Bombardier, Gautrain Management Agency, Bombela Concession Company and Bombela Operating Company in successfully delivering and maintaining this project and creating thousands of direct and indirect local jobs during this exciting journey. Rail transport in Gauteng entered a new era with the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link and we are proud to provide a safe, efficient and reliable service to more than 125 million commuters and airport travellers since 2010.”
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is an 80 km (50-mile) commuter rail system in Gauteng, South Africa, which links Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and the OR Tambo International Airport. Today Bombardier employs around 125 local staff on the Gautrain project operating out of the purpose-built maintenance facility located at Midrand in Johannesburg.
