Gauteng Provincial Government has awarded the Sihamba Sonke Mobility consortium a 15-year contract to operate, maintain and refurbish the 80 km Gautrain passenger rail network linking Pretoria, Johannesburg and OR Tambo International Airport. The contract took effect on September 28.

The consortium combines RATP Dev, Alstom, a joint venture of investors AIIM and Motseng, AWCA Investment Holdings, GIBB-CREDE and SSM InvestCo. RATP Dev has operated and maintained Gautrain through its Bombela Operating Co subsidiary since the standalone 1 435 mm gauge network launched in 2010.

Gautrain Management Agency said the new concession brings a 'renewed focus on investment, modernisation, operational sustainability, improved passenger experience and stronger integration with the province's broader public transport network'.

Alstom, the maintenance partner in the current concession, values its share of the new contract at €800m. Its scope covers refurbishment and modernisation of the existing fleet, a new signalling system, communications upgrades and long-term rail maintenance services. Alstom Ubunye's plant in Nigel will supply eight electric multiple-units, adding to the original fleet built by Bombardier Transportation in the UK.

The eight additional trains will expand the fleet from 24 to 32 four-car EMUs. Gautrain Management Agency and the consortium plan to convert that added capacity into more frequent weekday off-peak services and extended operating hours, alongside upgraded trains with improved passenger amenities.

Integration forms a second pillar of the concession. Plans call for closer connections between Gautrain trains and feeder bus services, with additional feeder routes and midibuses, plus progressive rollout of account-based ticketing and an integrated Mobility-as-a-Service digital platform. Stations, facilities and depots are slated for upgrades, with improved security, passenger information systems and expanded public wi-fi.

Energy resilience is also on the agenda. The programme includes full backup power provision for stations and a planned 30% renewable energy contribution across stations and depots.

On the maintenance side, the consortium intends to deploy digital tools and predictive maintenance technologies to improve performance and reliability. It also commits to workforce training, future rail talent development and localisation of South African skills.

RATP Dev said the new contract would combine the experience of its skilled local workforce with access to its global network of rail specialists and international best practice. Pierre Cicion, Vice President Middle East & Africa at RATP Dev, called Gautrain a 'benchmark for passenger rail in Africa', adding: 'Together with our South African partners, we look forward to supporting its future development through local talent, innovation and multimodal integration, while creating lasting value for Gauteng and its communities.'

Alstom Southern Africa Managing Director Tristan le Masne said 'travellers will benefit from more frequent train service and smoother connections across the network. Together with our consortium partners, we are committed to delivering a better travel experience for South Africans.'

The claims now sit alongside a defined delivery programme: eight new EMUs from Nigel, fleet refurbishment, resignalling and a 30% renewables target within the 15-year term.