TCI-Thoreb becomes part of Gautrain consortium

Executive Chaiperson of TCI Holdings Mthembeni Mkhize.

Following last month's announcement by the Gauteng provincial government of the preferred bidder for the much-anticipated Gauteng Rapid Rail Link Project (Gautrain), Hub tenant TCI-Thoreb (Pty) Ltd announced its participation in the Bombela Consortium contracted to undertake this South African first.

TCI-Thoreb provides computerised electrical systems and real-time passenger information for the transportation industry. Its 10-product Public Transport Applications portfolio include an automatic fare collection system, automated vehicle location systems and a system enabling the comparison of passenger statistics with ticketing data.

Bombela Consortium, the preferred bidder for Gautrain, is a partnership between Murray & Roberts, the Loliwe Companies, RATP Devèloppement, Bouygues Travaux Publics and Bombardier Transportation. TCI-Thoreb has been sub-contracted by Bombardier Transportation to manage and implement a number of functions, with a specific focus on technology applications and systems integration.

The company's responsibilities in the Gautrain project will include the design, supply, installation, commissioning and support of access control and station facilities as part of the urban planning and architectural design of the project. TCI will also be responsible for ticket media, specifications, interfaces, management, distribution and logistics, tying into the third function of fare structuring and AVM commuter interfacing. Should the need arise TCI will be tasked with the development of a PTIM unit and managing the total system supply in conjunction with international suppliers.

This undertaking is huge by South African standards and when probed on TCI's readiness to accept the challenge, Executive Chairperson of TCI Holdings, Mr Mthembeni Mkhize, points to the company's established track record within the industry. "As a project house for Spoornet, involved in the revamping of its long-distance trains, we already have a number of teams in place on the ground with the relevant experience, ready and raring to go", he says.

Already the design phase of TCI's involvement in the project has reached a level where government is able to announce an expected completion date. "We have, at this point, submitted a technology scoping document as well as a complete analysis of compliance issues", adds Mkhize.

According to Mkhize, the opportunity to work on a project of this calibre and scale fits into the most fundamental role that TCI sees itself playing in the local industry and the South African community at large. "Above all else, we need to use technology to improve quality of life. Through the Gautrain project we will contribute to this goal in a meaningful and lasting way", he concluded.

For more information on TCI-Thoreb (Pty) Ltd, contact Mthembeni Mkhize on
+27 12 807 0236.

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