Pretoria - The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) will engagement the local market, with the hopes of finding potential train manufacturers in South Africa.
This announcement was made by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele on Friday.
This follows Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's Budget Speech, where he said: 'Funds are also stepped up for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, for replacing signaling infrastructure and refurbishing rail coaches.'
Ndebele said South Africa was moving towards a high quality Integrated Mass Rapid Public Transport Network which included rail, taxi and bus services as part of its Public Transport Strategy (PTS).
"The PTS aims to accelerate the improvements in public transport by establishing Integrated Rapid Public Transport Networks (IRPTNs), which will introduce priority rail corridors and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems.
"The modernisation and upgrade of our rail infrastructure is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed any longer. We are engaging in a comprehensive rail upgrade that looks at placing rail at the centre of our freight and commuter movement."
Ndebele said rail is the future of the country's public transport, adding that over the past five years, government invested over R40 billion in passenger rail infrastructure and services including the Gautrain.
"The challenge, we are facing is that most of our rail system has reached the end of its lifespan. Continuing with a rehabilitation programme alone has become counter-productive.
"We believe introducing new rail rolling stock and technology in our system is an absolute necessity and will protect our investment in the sector. There is a need for re-investment in both the existing network and new routes in order to respond to new spatial and economic dynamics," said the minister.
Ndebele said the next step was for government, through PRASA and other public transport entities, to deliver jobs and quality public transport services for all South Africans.
The market engagement process will be used by PRASA, in partnership with the Departments of Transport, Trade and Industry and National Treasury, not as an expression for proposals or tender process, but to conduct market feasibility studies for the future Rolling Stock Fleet Renewal Programme, with both Rolling Stock Manufacturers and Financiers of Rolling Stock.
The engagement will also gauge the market's ability to supply adequate quantities of rolling stock to specifications suitable to local requirements, while measuring the potential appeal to financiers and their ability to provide long-term finance to the Rolling Stock Fleet Renewal Programme.
PRASA, as the project leader, will hold a one-day market engagement process on 5 April 2011 at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, with the aim of getting the following market information:
* Market possibility for production capacity of at least 300 passenger coaches per year, maintenance or significant/whole life support for manufactured coaches
* Company ability to demonstrate international production lines with a presence in at least three countries
* Prior South African train building and maintenance provision experience
* Willingness to transfer technology to South Africa/local production facility.
