Gibela is a joint French–South African railway rolling stock manufacturer. It is majority owned by
Alstom, which controls 70% of the company and African companies Ubumbano Rail has 30% stakes.
Gibela was announced as the preferred bidder for a
R51 billion contract to build 3,600
electric multiple units
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple-unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number ...
for the
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is a South African state-owned enterprise responsible for most passenger rail services in the country.
History
In 1910, as a consequence of the formation of the Union of South Africa, all railway ...
in December 2012, which was finalized in October 2013.
Under the terms of the contract, Gibela would construct the units over a ten-year period, as well as provide parts and technical support after delivery.
While the first twenty EMUs, dubbed the
X'Trapolis Mega, were built by Alstom in Brazil, Gibela began construction of a new R1 billion assembly facility in
Dunnottar, South Africa in March 2016 to construct the remaining 580 trainsets.
The factory is about in size and will employ about 1,500 people at full production, with a capacity of building 62 EMU trainsets annually.
Gibela began occupying the facility in early January 2018, with construction scheduled to be completed in March.
In addition to building vehicles for South African operators, Gibela also plans to compete for other African rail contracts.
References
{{reflist
Rolling stock manufacturers of South Africa
Alstom