It’s a bird, it’s a plane… it’s Superman… no wait, it’s definitely a train. And that’s a good thing because 2015 will see the arrival of some all-new, high-tech trains in South Africa, says the Department of Transport.

Transport minister Dipuo Peters unveiled the final design of the new the new blue, grey and silver Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) trains yesterday.

“The manufacturing of the first 20 trains has started in the Alstom Lapa (Brazilian) plant. We are likely to see the first body shell in October. The first of these trains will arrive in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2015,” Peters said.

Peters also said that more than 500 South African technicians, engineers and other professionals will be trained in the skills and competencies required to build and deliver 580 trains in Dunnottar, 10km north of the town of Nigel in Gauteng.

Both the government and Prasa are hoping that the arrival of these “safe, reliable and comfortable” trains will restore confidence of public transport in the country.

Prasa is set to churn out a total of 600 trains over a 10 year period, from 2015 to 2025, with a cost implication of R51 billion.

[Source – SA Governement News, Images – Prasa]