The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is one of the largest public private partnerships in the world and offers a world class and cost effective, efficient, environmentally friendly and safe solution to commuter and transport challenges in the rapidly developing Gauteng Province. The project seeks to provide partial relief to the challenge of road congestion by introducing an alternative mode of transport for commuters. It supports economic growth in the province and is creating as many as 7 000 employment opportunities during the construction and commissioning phase.
The project comprises four anchor stations in Johannesburg, Sandton, Pretoria and at OR Tambo International Airport. Additional stations along the route include Rosebank, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Hatfield and Rhodesfield. There is a commuter link between Pretoria and Johannesburg and an airport express between OR Tambo and Sandton.
The 20 year concession to design, build, part-finance, operate and maintain the 80 kilometre Gautrain Rapid Rail Link is held by Bombela Concession Company. Murray & Roberts is a 25% shareholder in both Bombela Concession Company, where group CE Brian Bruce is chairman, Terry Rensen a director and Jerome Govender CEO; and turnkey contractor Bombela TKC, where Ian Thoms is project director and Sean Flanagan and Malose Chaba are directors. Murray & Roberts is a 45% shareholder in the Bombela Civil Joint Venture where group executive director Sean Flanagan is chairman, and a 24% shareholder in Bombela Operations & Maintenance, where Judy Van Es is chairman and the lead Murray & Roberts director.
Design and construction of the project commenced when commercial close was achieved in September 2006. Despite numerous delays due primarily to the late procurement and delivery of land by Gauteng Province, the contractor has ensured that completion of phase 1, comprising the network between Sandton and OR Tambo, can still be accelerated for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World CupTM. Design and construction work was about 68% complete at year-end, with station construction at OR Tambo, Rhodesfield and Marlboro well advanced and the majority of trackwork and service infrastructure installed. Phase 2 of the system from Park Station to Hatfield via Pretoria Station is being constructed concurrently, but has been delayed by late procurement and delivery of land and considerable challenges with dolomites in the Tshwane area.
