South Africa’s National Rail Policy Green Paper presented by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, proposed a move from Cape gauge to standard gauge, as well as selected participation by the private sector in the domestic rail network.
”The railway sector has long been awaiting this Green Paper in order to create a much-needed policy dialogue. Standard gauge is clearly the superior gauge and is, therefore, proposed as an appropriate gauge for the country in meeting future capacity demands. This is in line with the African Union resolution that all future railways must be on standard gauge” Transport Minister said, Engineering News reports.
Acting Transnet Group CEO Siyabonga Gama said that it would cost R1.5-trillion (USD 110 billion) to convert South Africa’s rail network to standard gauge. In addition, ”it is also necessary to still enable rail trade between South Africa and its neighbouring countries, which used Cape gauge.”
The Green Paper suggested that the current urban commuter rail network remain on Cape gauge. University of Johannesburg Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management’s Professor Jackie Walters also emphasised that any move to standard gauge would have to be done on a “case-by-case basis”, following “proper cost:benefit analysis” to see if the cargo attracted to such a line can support the investment costs in a sustainable manner.
In addition, the Green Paper recommendes private sector participation and investment in projects where government could not afford to invest and/or where value for money could be demonstrated. All new rail developments within State-owned enterprises, or from any other player, would have to “be aligned to the new planning frameworks”.
The Green Paper was open for comment for a sixty-day period. The Department of Transport (DoT) would also conduct workshops on the document in all provinces. Public consultation will be closed on November 15.
Photo: matchdeck.com
Share on:
