Railway reform requires speed and collaboration – ARIA

By Thebe Mabanga

South Africa’s railway reform programme requires urgent action and close collaboration among all role players to build on the momentum achieved last year, according to Mesela Nhlapo, CEO of the Africa Rail Industry Association (ARIA).

In August last year, the opening of South Africa’s rail network became a reality when Transport Minister Barbara Creecy named 11 train operating companies to run more than 40 routes on the national rail network — previously accessible only to Transnet.

As part of preparations for third-party access, Transnet restructured Transnet Freight Rail by separating it into an Operating Company and a Transnet Infrastructure Manager, and finalised the Network Statement, which sets out the terms and conditions for access.

Nhlapo says key stakeholders must now move with speed to avoid losing the momentum created by these reforms.

“All train operating companies, public and private, must transition to active operations within 12 to