Posted on Dec 7, 2010 in Featured, Major Events, Media Releases
Gautrain’s skilled technicians have just completed the last of the Gautrain’s 81 locally assembled rail cars at the UCW Partnership in Nigel. The last rail car was delivered to Gautrain’s depot in Midrand on 7 December 2010 and was welcomed by a host of guests celebrating its arrival.
“It is a moment of intense pride as South Africans celebrate that which is possible right here at home,” said Mandla Nkomfe, MEC Gauteng Department of Finance. “Socio-Economic Development achievements by Gautrain have contributed to Gauteng Provincial Government objectives as it enables faster economic growth and job creation and develops healthy, skilled and productive people”.
The carriages arrived in a heavy hauler from specialist heavy lifting and transportation company Vanguard. These will complete the full Gautrain fleet of 24 four-car train sets each consisting of four rail cars, which is equivalent to 96 rail cars.
Gautrain rolling stock is based on the well known BOMBARDIER ELECTROSTAR series, known for it’s state-of-the-art technology and reliable, high performance standards on commuter routes in the United Kingdom. The lightweight aluminium car bodies – a first for South Africa – also offer increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements. It has been customised to meet South African requirements. A core feature of the ELECTROSTAR rail cars is their suitability for local assembly, which is made possible by the use of modular construction methodology. In turn, this delivers on Gautrain’s socio-economic objectives of skills transfer and job creation. Of the total of 96 rail cars, ten are specially customised for use on the airport link, and contain additional features such as extra luggage space and wider seats. The other 86 rail cars are designed for commuter services.
Mr Ismail Vadi, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport proudly elaborated on the positive effect the Gautrain will have on transport in Gauteng: “The Gautrain system forms a backbone of an integrated transport system, creating a flow of passengers that also utilise the Bus Rapid Transport Systems, taxis, Metrorail and Metro Buses.”
Jerome Govender CEO of the Bombela Concession Company who was present at the event said that “Bombela is proud to deliver the final rail car which is one of the many achievements that we have reached on the project to date. We look forward to the next big milestone which will be the opening of the balance of the Gautrain project towards the middle of 2011.”
The UCW Partnership factory in Nigel employed 95 people from the town and surrounding areas specifically for the assembly of the Gautrain. Of these 95 newly created jobs, 13 have been filled by women. These women fill the rolls of Managers, Quality Controllers, Supervisors and Assemblers. Two disabled people have also been employed at the plant as a Planner and a Trainer. There are also three learners employed at the Nigel plant.
- Gautrain Media Release – 07 December 2010
- Fact sheet 01 – Gautrain SED
- UCW – Images
- SED – Images
- Gautrain Railcar – Images
Construction Update
- CONSTRUCTION UPDATE – JUNE AND JULY August 26, 2011A) CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION AND THE START OF PHASE 2 OPERATIONS On 02 August 2011 the second phase of the Gautrain System – the route linking Rosebank Station in Johannesburg to Hatfield Station in Tshwane – was opened for commercial service. This follows the initial launch of Gautrain services on 08 June 2010, just three days […]
