Swiss group bidding for Prasa tender eyes sub-Saharan Africa

[John Ashworth]

Swiss group bidding for Prasa tender eyes sub-Saharan Africa market

15th October 2012
Engineering News

Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler, which forms part of the Dudula Rail consortium bidding to supply the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) with new commuter trains, said it would aim to enter other sub-Saharan African countries, once established in South Africa.

Stadler executive VP Felice Massaro said the family owned group planned to provide passenger train manufacturing capacity in South Africa for export.

Dudula Rail is competing against six other bidders for the R123-billion Prasa tender to manufacture and supply 7 224 new commuter coaches to the Metrorail commuter service.

“We are confident that we will not only meet but also exceed Prasa’s targets for local content and job creation,” Massaro said in a statement.

Led by Stadler, the consortium would use the Swiss company’s global expertise in the regional and suburban rail transport market, as well as the understanding and expertise about South Africa’s operating environment of its local partners.

He added Stadler and ABB, a partner in the bidding consortium, had extensive local and international experience in training and skills development, including the localisation of manufacturing capabilities in the various countries of operation.

Massaro said Stadler’s track record in this area demonstrated the consortium’s ability to implement a similar localisation strategy in South Africa that would also support the government’s approach in dealing with the resolution of a number of outstanding infrastructure projects.

“We are confident that our approach to establishing an open and transparent partnership with the South African government will not only deliver a modern, efficient, safe and affordable passenger rail system, but also leave a lasting legacy that empowers and enriches South Africa as a nation.”

Prasa CEO Lucky Montana recently said the commuter-rail utility could announce the preferred bidder for its stock renewal programme by the end of the November.

CAF, of Spain; Bombardier, of Canada; China South Rail; China North Rail; Gibela Rail Transportation, which is a French consortium comprising Alstom and Actom; and CSR/Wictra, a consortium comprising CSR, of China, and Wictra, of South Africa, are also bidding to supply Prasa with new rolling stock.