Transnet has announced it will launch research and development for commuter trains according to Prasa’s demands. This means that Transnet might be able to bid for Prasa’s future passenger train tenders.
Transnet’s plans come as it delivered 22 passenger coaches to Botswana Railways to resuscitate the country’s passenger rail service, which was discontinued in 2009.
This is the first time Transnet has put into production its design for passenger coaches.
“Transnet would also be launching its TransAfrica locomotive, to be used on branch lines and yards, before June. It is on the horizon that we (become) an original equipment manufacturer of coaches, wagons and locomotives. We are going to be doing research and development to come up with a product which is similar to what Prasa is looking for,” Transnet Engineering CEO Thamsanqa Jiyane said.
This is part of the company’s vision to be an original equipment manufacturer and supplier of rolling stock on the continent.
Prasa has bought 600 trains from Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, which is 61%-owned by Alstom. The trains are for the first half of Prasa’s 20-year modernisation programme, valued at R172 billion (USD 11 billion), to upgrade the urban Metrorail fleet and infrastructure. Prasa intends to buy another 600 trains for the second half of the programme.
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