First body shell built for PRASA suburban train fleet

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The first X’Trapolis Mega body shell for Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has been completed by Alstom’s Lapa site in Brazil ready for fit out.

It is the first of 20 trains being built in Brazil ahead of the opening of a new manufacturing facility in South Africa at Dunnottar.

PRASA is investing €4 billion in 600 new trains – the largest rolling stock procurement programme in the country’s history.

By the end of 2015, the first stainless steel shell will become the first completed train. The unit will then be shipped to South Africa where it will undergo testing and commissioning before entering passenger service in June 2016.

Piet Sebola, group executive of strategic asset development at PRASA, said: “In the months ahead this world-class manufacturing activities will be performed in South Africa by our own engineers and artisans. It is in line with our plans to develop new generation of railway engineers and artisans.

“We are focusing our energy on the creation of a railway service that forms an integral part of the transport system renewal to provide effective and efficient public transport to all South Africans.”

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