Gentle Ride for Football Fans

June 2010The new Gautrain in South Africa, which brings football fans to the World Cup stadiums, uses air suspension systems from ContiTech.

ContiTech know-how brings football fans to the World Cup stadiums: ContiTech Air Spring Systems has equipped all 96 vehicles of the new Gautrain in South Africa with air suspension systems. The air springs ensure that the fans have a safe and comfortable journey. The train was developed by Bombardier Transportation, the world's largest manufacturer of rail transport technology, based in Berlin.

The Gautrain is based on the ELECTROSTAR electric train – a brand of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries. This train has been on the rails in the UK since 2002. “ContiTech air suspension systems have already proven to be exceptionally reliable, ensuring problem-free operation in the ELECTROSTAR train. The train boasts the highest reliability rate in the entire country,” says Friedrich Hoppmann, head of ContiTech’s Railway Engineering segment. In the meantime, more than 1,600 ELECTROSTAR vehicles are in operation in the UK. ”

The new Gautrain is a key means of transportation in South Africa: the rail network was inaugurated just in time to get football fans from all nations to the stadiums for the football World Cup. The new train, which reaches a top speed of 160 kilometers per hour, was named after the Gauteng province. The track links Johannesburg to Pretoria (Tshwane) and the Johannesburg’s international airport, via Sandton.