huge contract for South African passenger trains won by Alstom

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has awarded a contract worth $US 5.1-billion (ZAR 51-billion) to Gibela Transport, a joint venture 61% owned by French company Alstom for the supply of 600 passenger trains, comprising 3,600 coaches. The contract, signed by Prasa Group CEO Lucky Montana, Alstom CEO Patrick Kron and Alstom Transport president Henri Poupart-Lafarge in the presence of South African President Jacob Zuma and visiting French President Francois Hollande, involves 3,600 cars to be formed into 600 electric multiple units during a 10-year period, plus spare parts for 18 years. Financial closure of the contract is expected in December.

full story