The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) designs its locally produced trains to be lighter and more environmentally friendly, resulting in reduced energy consumption.
PRASA recently achieved a production milestone by unveiling its 200th modern high-tech Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) manufactured in Gauteng. This unveiling represents one-third of the 600 trains that the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium, consisting of French rail company Alstom and South Africa’s Ubumbano Rail, is set to deliver.
The contract, valued at R51 billion and effective since April 2014, encompasses train maintenance, technical support, and the manufacture and supply of spare parts.
The trains have been designed to suit South Africa’s 1.067m gauge rail tracks. The X’trapolis Megas measure 131m in length and weigh 220 tonnes.
New trains offer improved environmental benefits.
Alstom stated that the trains utilize stainless steel, which is 30% lighter than carbon steel typically used. “This stainless steel material leads to reduced energy consumption, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, 99% of the train components are recoverable, with 96% being recyclable, thereby reducing the potential impact at the end of their lifespan,” the company explained.
The X’Trapolis Mega boasts the following features:
- Capacity for up to 1,200 passengers across six cars.
- Travel speed reaching up to 120km/h, with the potential to increase to 160km/h.
- Safety functionalities, including an anti-crash system designed to safeguard both drivers and passengers.
- Utilization of lightweight structure crafted from South African stainless steel, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to standard trains.
- Incorporation of various energy-saving attributes, such as regenerative braking, resulting in a 30% decrease in energy usage. Energy generated during braking is redirected into the train’s power system, cutting down on carbon emissions and expenses.
- 90% of the components are recyclable.
- Six spacious double doors per coach, facilitating easy access for commuters, particularly those with mobility challenges, elderly individuals, and parents with strollers.
Alstom emphasizes that rail transportation stands as one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport and will continue to serve as the cornerstone of mobility in a sustainable world.
“The average passenger cars in South Africa emit 148 gCO2e/km, which is 18.9 times higher than traveling by train.”
Alstom aims to manufacture 62 X’trapolis Mega trains annually by 2025 and plans to enhance operational capabilities to produce up to 50 locomotives per year.
Rail project generates employment opportunities.
Last October, PRASA CEO Hishaam Emeran stated, “Through our rebuilding efforts, we’ve injected over R3.6 billion into the economy, creating over 6,000 job opportunities, with 211 small, medium, and micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) appointed.
Among these job opportunities, 856 were for women, and 4,061 were youth employment opportunities.” At that time, he noted that the rebuilding and reopening of the corridors resulted in around 19 million passenger trips made last year.
This marked an increase from 15 million passenger trips in 2022—a significant difference from the 600 million passengers PRASA transported annually in 2014/2015.
Alstom partnered with Ernst & Young (EY) to conduct a report assessing the company’s socio-economic impact from April 2021 to March 2022. T
he report underscores “the creation of over 9,000 jobs and the injection of R3.9 billion into South Africa…”
As per the report, Alstom South Africa procured goods and services worth R3.6 billion during the reporting period, with 79% sourced from South African suppliers.
“We are making significant strides on the Central Line, with continuous endeavors to rehabilitate rail infrastructure from Phillippi to Nolungile and onward to Chris Hani.”
PRASA brings back ‘critical’ service in three provinces.
In March, PRASA declared the “successful reinstatement” of five vital Metrorail services spanning Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and the Western Cape. The restored services by the end of March 2024 comprise:
Cape Town to Stellenbosch (Western Cape), Merebank to Chatsglen (KZN), Johannesburg to Florida (Gauteng), Johannesburg to Nancefield (Gauteng), Germiston to Elsburg (Gauteng)
In its annual report for 2022/2023, PRASA projected ongoing enhancements in the train services offered as additional corridors (service lines) are restored.
“This will lead to a continued rise in passenger trips and consequently an increase in fare revenue. Train punctuality, measured by the percentage of trains running on time, has risen from a low of 63% in 2019/20 to 77% in 2022/23, with strategies in place to further improve this to 80% by 2023/24.”