It may cost R80 billion and take 10 years to fix Transnet’s core rail network, comprising about 5 000km out of SA’s total rail network of 21 000km.
“But for that to happen we need to get the policy right. Our rail network has to be managed in the same way that Sanral manages our major roads, with long-term concessions, and the private sector maintaining the roads and charging a toll.”The 10-year timeline to fix the network is less daunting once the project is spliced into more manageable outcomes, starting with the repair of the Durban-Johannesburg line, a project that could be done in two to four years.
“First, we need a proper technical assessment of the network, which National Treasury is currently undertaking. That will give us a better picture of the state of the network, and where we need to prioritise our spending.” The South African Reserve Bank estimates that transporting coal via rail to Richards Bay costs about $11 a ton compared to nearly $70 a ton by truck.
The key rail corridors will be accompanied by multiple ‘nodes’ such as dry port storage and handling, freight villages, fuel terminals and sea and airports.
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