Gautrain expands to meet passenger demand
Following increasing passenger demand on the Gautrain, the Development Bank of Southern Africa has approved a loan of R3,5bn for the Gautrain Management Agency to purchase additional rolling stock.
“Current passenger growth has been consistent in the peak periods and if the current patronage in the peak periods is not addressed, capacity will become more constrained,” Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Dr Ismail Vadi said at a media briefing outlining the business case for the additional train car sets.
Last week, Ismail announced that the Bombela Concession Company, initially appointed to operate and maintain the Gautrain project, had invited suppliers to submit tenders for the design, manufacture, supply and maintenance of 12 new train sets.
The Gautrain system currently carries 1,4m passengers a month and would require a total of 48 new rail cars over the next decade to meet the current passenger demand.
