RATP Dev continues Gautrain journey under new 15-year concession for one of Africa's leading passenger rail systems
Building on more than 15 years of operational excellence, the new concession will see RATP Dev Gauteng continue to lead Gautrain's multimodal operations and maintenance activities while participating as a strategic shareholder within the South African-led Sihamba Sonke Mobility consortium.
The Post-2026 Gautrain Concession has reached financial close, marking the start of a new 15-year chapter for one of Africa's leading passenger rail systems. On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) has awarded the concession to the Sihamba Sonke Mobility (SSM) consortium, which will be responsible for the operation, maintenance and refurbishment of the Gautrain network and its integrated feeder bus services through to 2041.
The award represents a renewed vote of confidence in RATP Dev's operational expertise and long-term commitment to Gauteng. Through its subsidiary, Bombela Operating Company, RATP Dev has successfully operated and maintained Gautrain since its launch in 2010. Over the past 16 years, the network has maintained an availability rate exceeding 99%, making Gautrain one of the continent's most reliable passenger rail systems.
Under the new concession, RATP Dev Gauteng will continue to lead operations and maintenance across rail, bus, midibus and parking services through to 2041, while also participating as a shareholder in the concessionaire. The new contract combines the experience of Gautrain's highly skilled local workforce with access to RATP Dev's global network of rail specialists and international best practices, supporting operational excellence, long-term asset stewardship and an enhanced passenger experience.
Led by South African shareholders, the Sihamba Sonke Mobility (SSM) consortium brings together RATP Dev, Alstom, the AIIM-Motseng Joint Venture, AWCA Investment Holdings (AIH), GIBB-CREDE and SSM InvestCo. At its core is RATP Dev's rail operations expertise, complemented by Alstom's industrial capabilities and the investment, engineering and infrastructure expertise of its South African partners. Together, the consortium combines an experienced local operating team, international best practices and more than 300 years of cumulative experience delivering mobility and infrastructure projects.
Since its launch in 2010, Gautrain has become a benchmark for passenger rail in Africa and a recognised example of successful public-private partnership, combining high standards of safety, reliability and customer service. The new concession will build on that track record while supporting long-term asset sustainability, network refurbishment, workforce development, digital innovation and closer integration between rail and feeder services.
Key priorities for Gautrain’s next phase:
• Maintain Gautrain's high standards of safety, reliability and customer service
• Support localisation and South African skills development
• Invest in workforce training and future rail talent
• Enhance integration between rail, bus and feeder services
• Deliver long-term refurbishment and asset sustainability programmes
• Deploy digital tools and predictive maintenance technologies to improve performance and reliability