The R25,2 billon, 80km Gautrain will provide a fast, safe and reliable mode of public transport to major hubs in Johannesburg such as Sandton, central Johannesburg, Tshwane and Oliver Tambo International Airport.

Standard Bank was joint lead arranger to the Bombela Consortium, for the development of the Gautrain. This is the largest greenfield rail concession currently under construction globally. The group consists of Bouygues TP, Bombardier, Murray & Roberts, SPG and French Metro operator RATP.

The project closed in February 2007, with Standard Bank underwriting 50% of the senior, index-linked and mezzanine finance, and executing a substantial portion of the long-term currency and interest rate hedges. Standard Bank played a central role in organising the R3 billion required by the Bombela consortium, builders of the Gautrain.

Not only will the project go down as one of South Africa’s best accomplishments to date, it will also place South Africa amongst a world-class public transport system.

Sector expertise	Infrastructure
Client	Bombela Consortium
Deal size	R25,2 billion
Duration	2007 to present
Key features	Offers a cost-effective, efficient, environmentally friendly and safe solution to some of the worst transport problems in the most densely developed area in Gauteng.
Connections	Bombela Consortium, Bouygues TP, Bombardier, Murray & Roberts, SPG and French Metro operator RATP
Noteworthy	70 000 jobs have been created during the construction phase. It has benefited about 350 empowerment companies and 230 small and medium enterprises. The Gautrain will stimulate tourism and business development in the province.