The World Cup football competition opened today, 11 June 2010, three days after the new Gautrain passenger railway was inaugurated to serve Sandton, Marlboro, Rhodesfield and Tambo International Airport.

Work on the railway was speeded up so it would be ready for the start of the World Cup.
The service is worked by Derby-built four-car Electrostar multiple-unit trains supplied by Bombardier.

Six more stations on the new standard-gauge network will open next year and complete the 50-mile Johannesburg-Pretoria route.

Gautrain is expected to stimulate economic development.

“For too long the people of Gauteng were hoping and dreaming about the day when our public transport systems are on par with the rest of the world,” said Minister of Justice Jeff Radebe.

“Fortunately for us, that day has come and we celebrate the historic milestones and legendary African spirit that turned that dream into a reality.”

Fifteen vehicles were exported complete, and the remaining 81 vehicles have been supplied as flat-pack deliveries of roof, underframe, cab and intermediate end modules, for assembly in South Africa.

The signalling system has been designed and supplied by Bombardier Engineering Centre of Excellence in Plymouth. Bombardier teams from Derby and Plymouth are currently
working in South Africa.

Colin Walton, chairman of Bombardier in the UK said: “This is a fantastic showcase for our
UK products. This project is a tremendous achievement which has seen the transfer of technology from our site in Derby to South Africa.”

Information from bombardier