RSR issues safety permit for Gautrain routes

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Pretoria - The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has issued a safety permit to the Gautrain's Bombela Operating Company (BOC) to operate the routes between Park Station and Hatfield, as well as Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport.

"The BOC has satisfied the Regulator that rigorous safety testing and trial runs have been successfully completed, and that all the required safety measures are in place to enable the transportation of passengers," RSR said in a statement.

The RSR has been working closely with the Bombela Concession Company since 2007 to ensure the safe completion and operation of the Gautrain Rapid Rail project.

In addition, the RSR has issued Safety Permits for the operation of construction trains, as well as for the testing and commissioning phases. All these efforts were aimed at ensuring the rapid rail project operates safely once introduced for commercial operation.

The RSR said the Operator has taken a very responsible approach to its safety obligations, and has cooperated fully with the RSR during this phase.

The safety permit forms part of the documentation which has to be available to the Gauteng Provincial Government, in terms of the concession agreement conditions.

After this has taken place, the Gauteng Provincial Government must then determine contractually with the Bombela Concession Company which portion of the network will be introduced and when.