By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cabinet has approved the draft of National Rail Master Plan (NRMP) which aim to revitalise South Africa’s rail system, drive private-sector participation, and guide the coordinated expansion of the country’s transport infrastructure.
“It aims to create an affordable, competitive system by integrating passenger, freight, and high-speed rail, while encouraging private sector participation,” Cabinet said in a statement.
South Africa’s rail system had experienced years of underinvestment, declining performance, theft, vandalism and operational inefficiencies, which had resulted in road congestion, higher logistics costs, and reduced economic competitiveness.
The draft NRMP has been released as government proceeds with reforms aimed as arresting the decline in the performance of both Transnet Freight Rail and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has indicated that she is simultaneously pursuing Cabinet approval for a new National Rail Bill within the current financial year.
That proposed legislation is designed to embed the current wave of sector reforms into law, providing legal certainty for private operators looking to enter the previously restricted network.
Cabinet also approved the draft National Airports Development Plan (NADP), which is intended to provide a strategic, system-wide approach to the coordinated development and expansion of the country’s airport network.
The plan prioritises long-term sustainability and insists that future airport infrastructure must be demand-driven and properly integrated with national economic and spatial development priorities.
“It provides a strategic, System-wide approach to airport infrastructure planning, ensuring alignment with national trasnport, economic and spatial development priorities,” the Cabinet statement said, adding that it would ensure that airport development was planned, demand-driven and integrated.
Both documents are now open for public comment, with industry bodies expected to scrutinise the feasibility of the proposed investment phases and the timelines for private sector integration.