Bombardier ELECTROSTAR Vehicle Inaugural Launch for Gautrain, South Africa

Bombardier Derby Facility – Home of the ELECTROSTAR – Hosts Celebratory Event

André Navarri, President of Bombardier Transportation, joined by Premier Mbhazima Shilowa of South Africa’s Gauteng Province, Jack van der Merwe, CEO of the Gautrain project, CEO Jerome Govender of the Bombela Consortium and Jean-Marc Janaillac, Chairman & CEO RATP Développement, today presided over the inaugural launch of the first BOMBARDIER ELECTROSTAR vehicle for the Gautrain rapid rail link. Other participants at the event included South African and UK government officials and dignitaries.

Bombardier’s Derby manufacturing facility is responsible for the design and manufacture of 96 ELECTROSTAR vehicles for the 80-kilometre Gautrain link, the majority of which will undergo final assembly in South Africa. The ELECTROSTAR fleet is part of the concession contract awarded to the Bombela Consortium in 2006 for the financing, design, construction and operation and maintenance of the Gautrain system. Bombela Consortium members include Bombardier Transportation, French civil contractor Bouygues, South African civil contractor Murray and Roberts and Strategic Partners Group. Bombardier, in conjunction with its Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment partners, will also maintain the fleet for 15 years and RATP Développement will be responsible for operating the system.

André Navarri commented: “The Derby facility, the backbone of our design and manufacturing capability in the UK, represents many years of success in delivering high performing rail passenger vehicles. Today, this site marks another historic event – the roll out of the first ELECTROSTAR train for our South African customer.” He added, “We are proud to be part of the South African Government’s commitment to build a modern and effective rail network and are confident that its new fleet will facilitate the easy movement of people and goods throughout the region.”

The award winning ELECTROSTAR train is a well proven product, with over 1,600 cars in service with three operators in the UK: c2c, Southeastern and Southern. The trains have been named the most reliable modern EMU in the UK for the past six years, achieving some of the highest reliability figures in the country. The trains feature the energy efficient BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion and control equipment. ELECTROSTAR trains were also ordered in 2006 by Transport for London for the “London Overground” services for East London Line and North London Railway.