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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 66802, member: 636"]
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy launched a solar energy program for railway operations on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, in eThekwini, alongside ceremonies marking the 300th domestically manufactured train and the opening of a new shopping center. The Passenger Rail Agency's subsidiary, Intersite, manages the renewable power initiative, which features a one-megawatt rooftop installation at Durban Station. Officials expect the systems to reduce electricity costs and maintain service continuity in the event of national grid failures.

The Isipingo Mall opened adjacent to Isipingo Station with 45 retail outlets across 7,259 square meters and 304 parking spaces. Construction generated 271 positions and cost 374 million rand over a four-year period. The facility will create more than 150 permanent jobs in the retail and management sectors. Gibela Rail Transport Consortium produced the X'trapolis Mega trains at its Nigel plant in Ekurhuleni with a capacity of 1,200 passengers each.

The agency aims to target approximately 600 trains by 2035 as part of modernization efforts initiated in 2013. Gibela employs more than 1,000 workers and sources over 60 percent of components from South African manufacturers. The renewable energy expansion seeks private sector participation through procurement tenders for additional station installations. Officials project the property development pipeline could generate 2.5 billion rand in revenue by 2035.
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