The six essential factors that ensured Gautrain’s success

Skills transfer has been one of the major spin-offs during the construction of the Gautrain, says Jan van Tonder, engineering manager of Isithimela Rail Services. The company was responsible for the laying of some 160km of track. Subcontracted by Bombardier Transportation UK, it has been the first to lay 1435mm of “standard gauge” track in sub Saharan Africa. This track type, typically used for high-speed rail tracks, offers greater balance and safety. To date the company has completed some 50% of the track with the stretch between OR Tambo International Airport and the Sandton station fully functional. “There have been major skills and knowledge transfers on this project which will benefit South Africa for many years to come,” Van Tonder told FTW during an interview at the Gautrain Midrand depot. “Make no mistake, South Africa has always had skilled people capable of doing this kind of project, but we have been exposed to the world’s leaders when it comes to railway construction and that is extremely important.” An important lesson learnt during the project was that of not working labour intensively as is the norm in South Africa, but rather mechanically intensively. With most of the equipment, machinery and track having to be imported, the project has also been larger than usual for South Africa and planning around having construction workers on site at the right times has been crucial. Van Tonder says the success of the project so far has been around choosing reputable companies. “On a project of this scale there are several important aspects of which the first is reputation and reliability. The companies involved have to be reliable and dedicated to ensure success – one cannot have workers waiting for track or track waiting to be laid and the workers are not there, meaning if a company has committed to a deadline, it must happen.” The other important aspect is communication, says Van Tonder. “Throughout it is important that everyone talks to each other and is informed of each aspect of the project.” And the experts agree with him – ensuring the communication lines are open is part and parcel of a large project running smoothly. “If there is a hold-up at sea and the construction site is timeously notified one is already one step ahead,” says Van Tonder. Another lesson, he says, is that price is not always everything. “No company is going to pay more than they have to but reliability sometimes goes further than the quoted rate. And finally the entire supply chain must work together to bring the project together.” For Van Tonder and many of his colleagues the opportunity to be part of the Gautrain construction has been a once-in-a-lifetime chance. “This was no doubt a use it or lose it project. As a team we have learnt from the world’s best and we have developed skills that we can now transfer across this continent.”