Alstom’s Largest Suburban Train Project

Image Courtesy of Alstom

Alstom has announced that PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) and Gibela, have concluded the financial close of the contract that was signed on 14th October 2013 for the order of 600XTtrapolis Megacommuter trains. These will be supplied over 10 years and will have a total of 3,600 cars. The construction of a local manufacturing facility was also included in the contract and will be located in Dunnottar, 50km from Johannesburg. Gibela will also be providing the technical support and the supply of any spare parts over a 18-year period. This total for this contract is worth 4bn.

The project will be one of the biggest in the rail transport industry worldwide, and will be the largest contract signed in Alstom’s history. This is part of Alstom’s wider plans to be a leader in the transport market and to be a recognised and respected presence on both local and global levels. This can all be put down to its large industrial footprint and its partnerships that enable the proximity with it’s customers.

Alstom Job Offers Due to Contract

PRASA will be supplied with the XTrapolis Mega, which was designed by Alstom to fit South Africa’s needs. The first 20 trains that will be delivered will be produced at Alstom’s Lapa plant in Brazil. Then the rest of the 580XTrapolis Mega will be produced in the Dunnottar site.

On top of the contract, there will be 1,500 jobs created to work direct in the local factory and 33,000 indirect jobs over the 10 years, achieving a local content level of over 65%. Of this 19,000 people will be trained by Alstom during the duration of this project.