The bidders include:

- Bombardier Transportation South Africa (with Strategic Partners Group and Bombardier’s British subsidiary to provide maintenance services)
- CRRC E-Loco Supply (CRRC Zhuzhou South Africa and Matsete Basadi), and
- Egoli Rail Consortium (Alstom South Africa, EOH Intelligent Infrastructure and Ubumbano).

In addition to new rolling stock, the contract calls for the expansion of depot facilities to accommodate the larger fleet as well as upgrading of signalling systems.

According to Gautrain CEO Mr Jack van der Merwe, a request for proposals will be issued to the shortlisted bidders next month and financial close is anticipated “towards the end of 2017.”

Vadi says the Gauteng government requires the winning bidder to provide at least 65% local content.

Additional trains are required to increase capacity during the morning and evening peaks, when some services experience overcrowding.

All Gautrain services are currently operated by a fleet of 24 four-car Bombardier Electrostar EMUs, which were introduced when the network opened in 2011-12.