Murray & Roberts (M&R) has increased its stake in the Bombela Concession Company, which operates and maintains the Gautrain railway network in South Africa.

M&R now holds a 50% in the project, having acquired Bouygues Travaux Publics and Bombardier Transportation UK’s respective 8.5% stakes.

M&R initially held a 25% stake in the company when it was incorporated, increasing this to 33% in 2011.

This acquisition is being undertaken as part of M&R’s broader capital allocation strategy, as the investment in BCC provides strong returns in the short to medium term, while the group continues to look for potential acquisitions that would complement its three operating platforms.

Bombela holds the 20-year concession to design, build, part-finance and operate the Gautrain Rapid Rail Link. Bombela manages the client (Gauteng Provincial Government) interface and provides an integrated solutions approach for this PPP project.

The light rail line between Johannesburg, Pretoria and O.R. Tambo International Airport, suppors a fast transit system capable of operating at 160 km/h.

It comprises two links with three anchor stations (Pretoria, Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport), as well as seven other stations which will be linked by approximately 80 km of rail along the new route.