RSR issues Safety Permit for additional Gautrain routes

[John Ashworth]

RSR issues Safety Permit for additional Gautrain routes

Railways Africa on July 12, 2011 in South Africa

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.

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. To this end the RSR has engaged the Gautrain Rapid Rail Project in the phases of design, construction and testing and commissioning by conducting safety reviews, assessments and inspections on all safety aspects.

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 is pleased to report that 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.

More information & sound bites:

General Manager of Safety Assurance Letsane Rathaba (011) 417 0012 / 082 574 2961

Media Enquiries: Lavinia Engelbrecht (011) 417 0002