Signing ceremony for City of Cape Town and PRASA

PRASA COMMITS TO MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS AROUND RAILWAY STATIONS IN CAPE TOWN, SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH MAYOR DAN PLATO

Cape Town, 2 December 2009 - The 17th of November 2009 was a historic day for PRASA and the City of Cape Town, when the Executive Mayor of Cape Town Dan Plato and PRASA Group CEO Lucky Montana, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), under which the City and PRASA will maximise the development opportunities on the land they own around railway stations and along railway lines.
Prasa GCEO Tshepo Lucky Montana, Premier of Western Cape Helen Zille and Executive Mayor of Cape Town Dan Plato at the signing of the MOU between PRASA and the City of Cape Town


The Premier of the Western Cape, Helen Zille, attended the signing ceremony, as well as Cromet Molepo, CEO of Intersite, Stephen Ngobeni, Cape Town Metrorail Regional Manager and Piet van Zyl, Executive Director for Strategy and Planning at the City of Cape Town.


The MOU will open the way for the construction of high density housing on land within Cape Town owned jointly by PRASA and the City, committing both parties to further developing areas around stations by encouraging a range of different social and economic activities in these environments. Such mixed-use areas have the potential to create unique environments for promoting community access to socio-economic opportunities within rail corridors, and will also support a range of densified housing developments to solve the housing challenge in Cape Town.



“This MOU supports our Regional Rail Plan and the City’s Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) that envisages a closer working relationship between PRASA and the City to ensure that Cape Town’s proposed urban growth corridors are supported by rail-based public transport where this exists. It will also ensure that where there are opportunities for new passenger rail services, PRASA will align its services according to the development of these corridors. I am encouraged by the commitment to public transport demonstrated by the City and we hope to enter into similar agreements with other Metropolitan authorities around the country,” said Montana.


PRASA and the City will identify strategic landholdings to advance the MOU’s aims. The parties will then determine the best use of the landholdings and develop these in line with Government’s socio-economic aims and in accordance with statutory planning and development processes.


PRASA and the City have agreed on a plan and joint committee to implement the aims of this MOU, including the prioritisation of the development of a maximum of three key stations. This will allow the parties to align their planning, including in the City’s north-eastern growth corridor.


Please direct all media enquiries to Sibusiso Ngomane, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, Metrorail; +27 82 557 2499

Ribbon snipping of new buses for 2010

AUTOPAX – A TICKET TO RIDE

Cape Town, South Africa, 2 December, 2009 - Today saw the introduction of the new Translux bus branding as it appears on the company’s recently-acquired buses.

The new buses will be used to transport VIP guests and soccer fans to and from matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Following the event, the 570 newly-acquired buses will replace PRASA subsidiary Autopax’s entire existing fleet.

The red ribbons were snipped off the new buses by Deputy Minister of Transport Jeremy Cronin at a media event held at Cape Town Station, which is currently being refurbished. The buses and the station upgrades, along with the refurbishment of some 2000 train coaches, are part of PRASA’s mandate to deliver a world-class transport system to soccer fans in June, next year.

The buses were unveiled by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele during Transport Month in October. Comprising a total investment of R1.4 billion, they were built by German manufacturers Mercedes-Benz and MAN, which comply with European standards and compare favourably with the best in the world.

Autopax comprises Translux and City-to-City bus services, with Translux being the luxury, long-distance scheduled inter-city operator, servicing more than 100 destinations throughout Southern Africa, while City-to-City is a semi-luxury, no frills long-distance operator, providing inter-city services to various destinations across South Africa.

Autopax’s route network covers most parts of South Africa and crosses borders to neighbouring countries, currently Mozambique.

The company previously managed a fleet of more than 200 buses, all of which will, over a period of six months, be phased out to make room for the new buses, which will more than double the number of the original fleet. This will enable Autopax to improve its service to customers and extend its route network into new areas where demand has been recognised.


In contrast to the fleet’s old manual drive buses, the new vehicles are all fully automatic, equipped with air-conditioning, on-board entertainment and safety-enhancing speed governers. These new features will require retraining of the drivers, a process that is well underway, with additional training in advanced and defensive driving skills.

In order to improve the passenger experience drivers will also learn how to deal with passengers in order to offer a friendly, informed service regarding routes, arrival times and ticketing processes.

Autopax CEO Saki Zamxaka says he is determined to see passengers arriving safely and comfortably at their destinations, with a transition from points A to B that is as seamless and hassle-free as possible.

To this end, Autopax is teaming up with other PRASA divisions, Metrorail - the passenger rail service - and Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance rail network, to offer a single ticket system that includes bus travel to the station, the train journey, and a second bus trip to the final destination, if need be.

This plan forms part of PRASA’s goal to provide an integrated commuter service to South Africans and to do away with the underperformance of the public transport sector.

For purposes of providing transport during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, 50 buses will be allocated to transfer FIFA Local Organising Committee members and international FIFA delegates around the country. Depending on demand for transporting general spectators between provinces, up to another 360 buses will be made available, 250 of which will be leased from private companies.

The rest of the new buses will be incorporated for use in the “MATCH (a FIFA entity)” packages which offer guests a single ticket including accommodation, transport, a ticket to the match as well as food, entertainment and beverages at designated hospitality tents during the game.

“We are liaising closely with FIFA to determine the transport needs of between 300 000 and 700 000 foreign visitors expected during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. While rail and air travel will also be available, buses go where trains and planes can not. This is why PRASA’s plan for public transport rests so heavily on the efficient workings of our inter-city bus services,” said Zamxaka.


“In an effort to make sure our bus services are in tip-top shape in time for 2010, Autopax has also embarked on an organisation-wide plan to overhaul not only our buses and operations, but also people.

A drive is underway to train our frontline staff to ensure the brand and the nation is properly represented to the world as friendly and efficient. We hope all of our passengers will find our service to be a safe, reliable and pleasant part of their journey throughout our beautiful country.”

Ends.

Issued by Brand Leadership PR

+27 11 463 5091

Charmaine Lodewyk (+27 71 490 6559)

Kerry Botha (+27 83 263 0644)

www.brand-leadership.com

On Behalf of PRASA

Tiro Holele (+27 82 565 8681)

Corporate Affairs Executive

www.prasa.com

Cape Town Station Refurbishment Program

Cape Town 2 December, 2009 - The Cape Town Station R408—million Refurbishment Project, formally sanctioned by the SARCC Board of Directors in 2005, is emerging as a significant catalyst in the renewal of the Cape Town Central Business District. Cape Town Station was constructed in the early 1960’s at a time when there was significant development along the Foreshore and within the CBD. The first railway services from the new station commenced in April 1963.


Little development or expansion has been undertaken in the ensuing almost 50 years, despite the changing needs of the city and its inhabitants. Today the Cape Town Station precinct plays a pivotal role in the economic life of the City and provides an important interface between the central city- and the outlying metropolitan areas. Indeed the station is a key determinant in the quality of life of many Cape Town residents.

The refurbishment of the Cape Town Station Precinct is vital in enabling it to fulfill its rightful role in the socio-economic development of Cape Town as the Ccity embraces the challenges of growth and social integration. PROJECT INFORMANTS 2010 FIFA World Cup matches are likely to result in the largest spectator gatherings South Africa has ever experienced. Consequently, a significant improvement is necessary to ensure that the rail system, especially at stations, is able to cope with the demands, as well as catering to the needs of daily commuters.

Before the refurbishment project began, the station building had become functionally inefficient and seriously degraded, even to the point of becoming a health risk. Green Point Stadium, located within five km of the station, is in the process of being completed to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup matches to be played in Cape Town. It is expected that the soccer fans will converge on station on match days as they make their way to the stadium.

BENEFITS
In addition to the aesthetic benefits of a clean, modern station, the following also apply: • Improved operational efficiency; • Improved safety and security; • Improved information management; • Sustainability; and • Improved accessibility and ease of movement for all.

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
Cape Town Station is divided into four precincts for the planning and designing of the construction work: The Station Forecourt

• The station forecourt comprise three open areas depicted as A, B and C in the diagram, the main concourse running from Old Marine Drive (Precinct 2) to Strand Street (Precinct 3) and a five storey tower block.

• The station forecourt is the area through which visitors will move to thestadium and therefore a priority for completion. Construction work in Precincts 2, 3 and 4 are mainly refurbishment projects although there are inter-dependencies, e.g. Precinct 4 must be completed (new trading market) to receive the informal traders currently occupying the Forecourt. The station forecourt must be open and unobstructed for 2010 to allow free movement through this space to the stadium. Main Concourse

• New ticket sale points and information desks at the entrances at Old Marine Drive and Strand Street. • Station managers’ offices and function areas located in the ticket selling point at Old Marine Drive.

• Demolishing of existing ticket offices and commercial areas to clear the concourse for free movement. • Re-tiling the floor.

• Replacing turnstiles with high-tech access gates.

• Construction of new food courts, one at each ticket selling point. Five Storey Tower Block

• Demolition, alteration of internal walls and refurbishment, except the fourth floor and the clinic, which were recently refurbished to accommodate various operational departments.

• Various operational units are to be housed in the refurbished tower block. ‘Creative’ Cape Town Space

• This is one of the major retail spaces on the station due to the excellent exposure the CBD and no direct rail operations present in this corner of the station.

• Relocation of the Long Distance Bus Facility to Precinct 2.

• Construction of an urban square with the Food Court in the Main Concourse opening onto the square.

• Demolition of internal walls, alteration and refurbishment of two storey building along Adderley Street to accommodate retail / ‘creative’ Cape Town activities and a transport museum on the first floor.

• Demolition of internal walls, alteration and refurbishment to first floor of the building along Old Marine Drive to accommodate offices and construction of a retail / ‘creative’ Cape Town activities below. Station Square

• This square is seen as an operational space as the main access to the concourse and platforms from the CBD as well as an evacuation space in the event of an emergency or disaster.

• The informal traders currently occupying the Station Square will be relocated to the Station Deck.

• Removal of the garden areas and retaining and/or relocation of some of the trees.

• Construction of hard and soft landscaping of the square to allow movement and maximum usage.

• Square to allow occasional seasonal / themed events in between rail operational peak times. Station Corner

• This is a more reflective space featuring public art works.

• Construction of a square with the Food Court in the Main Concourse spilling opening onto the square;

• Refurbishment and adjustments to the accesses down into the underground retail areas of the CBD. Old Marine Drive

• This is the long distance travel precinct featuring the long distance bus facility, Blue Train Lounge and commercial area at the lower end towards Oswald Pirow Street.

• Relocation of the Blue Train Lounge to the Parcels Building.

• Construction of new offices and ticket selling points for long distance bus operators, as well as meet & greet and waiting lounges.

• Civil works to construct new curb lines, pavements and surfaces for new sedan taxi waiting areas, two drop-and-go areas for long distance travel services, pedestrian walkways, cycle routes, parking and long distance bus terminal.

• Refurbishment of the station building facing Old Marine Drive.

• Enclosure of the long distance bus facility and possible retail on the outer edge of the enclosure and down Old Marine Drive closer to Oswald Pirow. The commercial components at the long distance bus facility and further down in Old Marine Drive are not part of the scope of the project. The intention is to investigate the possibility of sourcing capital from outside the current capital allocation. Strand Street

• This precinct consists of rail operational functions facing platform 1 and retail facing Strand Street.

• The Cape Town SAPS facility located in this precinct was built recently and is still in good condition.

• Demolition of internal walls, alterations and refurbishment to accommodate retail edge on Strand Street and rail operations facing platform 1. Rail operations on platform 1: • Facilities • Access controllers • Train Cleaners • Protection Services Station Deck

• The City of Cape Town manages the public parking areas and taxi rank in this precinct. Planning is being coordinated to allow a seamless implementation of the refurbishment of this area.

• This precinct consists of the Good Hope Concourse next to Oswald Pirow Street, Parade Concourse, train drivers- & Premier Services offices and mess facilities and traders market. • Deck civil works to waterproof the deck and install storm water and other services to serve the market

• Construction of the top structures in the market, i.e. kiosks for trading, ablution facilities, management facilities for the trading markets and solid waste recycling depository facility

• Internal demolitions, alterations and refurbishment of the Parade- and Good Hope concourses to accommodate retail and rail operational functions. The Parade concourse is in the current scope of project while the refurbishment of the Good Hope concourse depends on the airport raillink project as the terminal facility for this service will be located in the Good Hope concourse. Integrated Communication System

• An integrated communication system consisting of closed circuit television cameras, public address systems, information boards, advertising and infotainment is included in the scope of the project.

• The integrated communication system touches on one of the regional functions which is funded by the national integrated communication system project. START DATE AND END DATE The project was initiated by the then SARCC in 2005. A professional team was appointed in 2006 with the first contactors appointed towards the end of 2007. The main building contractor stepped on site on the 1st of September 2008. The 2010 elements of the project will be completed by March 2010 with some refurbishment components continuing. JOB CREATION

• 11 contracts form part of the project, translating into roughly 650 jobs with a local labour component of at least 20% ,of which at least 90% are held by previously disadvantaged individuals.

• Another three contracts have recently been awarded that will add to the employment figures above. MONEY FUNDING SOURCES CAPITAL PROVISION EXPENDITURE TO DATE PTIS 110,000,000 110,000,000 MTEF (as per PRASA Bus. Plan) 406,000,000 130,726,860 TOTAL 516,000,000 240,726,860 Project Photo Gallery Old Marine Drive Before Old Marine Drive Entrance after Station Forecourt Before Forecourt during construction Old Ticket sales New ticket sales

PRASA Press Release December 2

PRASA UNVEILS SLEEK NEW STATIONS, TRAINS AND BUSES AHEAD OF 2010

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PRASA UNVEILS SLEEK NEW STATIONS, TRAINS AND BUSES AHEAD OF 2010

Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin visits the newly-refurbished Cape Town Station.

Cape Town, South Africa. PRASA today hosted Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin during a site inspection of the R408 million project to upgrade and transform Cape Town Station. The walkabout followed a trip from Newlands Station on one of the 2000 trains being refurbished ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, giving passengers a taste of what football fans will be able to expect in June next year.

As 2010 FIFA World Cup™ national supporter PRASA also took the opportunity to unveil the revitalised Translux brand as displayed on one of 570 new buses acquired by Autopax.

Deputy Minister Cronin was accompanied on his tour of the facility by the Chairman of the PRASA Board, Sfiso Buthelezi and the Group CEO of PRASA, Lucky Montana.

The Station’s facelift, refurbishment of trains and acquisition of new buses form part of PRASA’s three-year, R25 billion transport upgrade plan, a substantial portion of which has already been spent on boosting train (Shosholoza Meyl, Metrorail), bus (Autopax: Translux and City-to-City) and other transport-related services ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“Around 1 million African visitors and over 400 000 overseas visitors are expected to place significant demand on our transport system,” said PRASA Group CEO Lucky Montana, “But we’re confident that given all the preparations we’re making, our services will exceed expectations.”

Cape Town Station

Although all planned upgrades at Cape Town Station precinct used by around 190 000 people daily, will only be completed in 2012, the Station is already almost unrecognisable from its former self, sporting a fresh, modern look and feel. The new concourse and ticket counters are complete and operational while the new food court, offices and ablution facilities are also already in use. (See media pack for more details.)

Surrounding the Station, as well as several others in the Cape Town area, residents will soon be able to look forward to major developments of housing and retail precincts that will transform the areas, promoting access to socio-economic opportunities within the city’s rail corridors.

Significant progress has also been achieved with the refurbishment of key stations including Reunion (Durban), Nasrec and Durban Station, while the following new stations are being built: Rhodesfield (Johannesburg), Moses Mabhida (Durban) and Windermere (Cape Town). The upgrades will enhance the commuting experience through the improvement of the environment, safety, security – with the introduction of Railway Police - and hygiene of the stations.

Trains

In an effort to bring South Africa’s train transport service in line with that of the rest of the world, PRASA is refurbishing trains in order for the fleet to operate at optimum levels of reliability and efficiency.

“With around R7 billion committed to transforming rail services operated by Metrorail (cities) and Shosholoza Meyl (long-distance) and the introduction of 2 000 refurbished coaches, we’re confident that our 2010 visitors will feel right at home travelling with us - while South Africans will wonder why they’ve not been travelling more by train before!” said Montana.

Metrorail’s new luxury Business Express trains sport brand new livery, comfortable seats, curtains and carpets, ensuring a fresh and luxurious look. Onboard services include cabin and security crew, a complimentary daily newspaper and refreshments.

Buses

“Where railway tracks will simply never take you, roads can, and that’s why our plan for public transport rests so heavily on the efficient workings of our inter-city bus services operated by Autopax’s Translux and City-to-City brands,” said Montana.

In an effort to make sure its bus services are in tip-top shape in time for 2010, Autopax has embarked on plan to overhaul not only its operations and buses - on which it’s spending R1.4 billion - but also its people. A drive is underway to train frontline staff, such as sales consultants, sales managers, call centre personnel, hostesses and drivers, thereby ensuring that the brand is properly presented to both local and foreign passengers who’ll be using the service in the future.

“Also, overall efficiency will receive a boost with our plans to establish an information control centre that will be centralised as part of our client services and upgraded call centre,” he added.

“With around 190 days to go before kick-off, we’re confident that PRASA will provide stellar service, ensuring the overall success of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as fans enjoy a hassle-free experience, travelling both to and from the game. We simply can’t wait!” concluded Montana.

Ends.

Issued by Brand Leadership PR

+27 11 463 5091

Charmaine Lodewyk (+27 71 490 6559)

Kerry Botha (+27 83 263 0644)

www.brand-leadership.com

On Behalf of PRASA

Tiro Holele (+27 82 565 8681)

Corporate Affairs Executive

On Behalf of Metrorail

Sibusiso Ngomane (+27 82 557 2499)

Senior Marketing and Communications Manager

www.prasa.com