By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The government has introduced a white paper which will inform plans by the department of transport to introduce high-speed rail, allowing the involvement of the private sector in the investment in infrastructure.
The paper also enables state-owned entities to lease their rolling stock to third parties.
On Monday, transport minister Fikile Mbalula gazetted the white paper on national rail policy which seeks to stop the decline of economic activity in the sector, attract investment and allow private companies to run some of the rail line in the coming decades.
The document maps out a way in which the government will ensure that rail is affordable, safe and strengthens economic development by 2050.
South Africa plans to introduce a new high-speed rail system as part of its new national rail policy, says Mbalula.
“The framework will determine the strategic objectives for high-speed rail in the country and determine the criteria to be used in determining and prioritising these corridors. Feasibility studies on proposed high-speed services will be conducted by the department (of transport) guided by the framework.”
In August 2021, Mbalula announced that the government had begun a feasibility study to introduce a high-speed rail development between Pretoria, Durban and Johannesburg. Mbalula said that the planned development will carry passengers as well as freight.
In May 2020, Transport director-general Alec Moemi said that a framework for a new High-Speed Rail (HSR) network in South Africa has already been developed and implemented. He added that the project will not be solely funded by the government but will be financed through investor funding as well as private sector participation.
The Chinese government has also indicated that it is interested in investing in a high-speed rail project between Durban and Johannesburg.
Speaking at a jobs fair in Johannesburg at the end of April week, ambassador Chen Xiaodong said South Africa and other countries are ‘very much welcome to get on board the bullet train’ of China’s development.
“China is actively working on feasibility studies for a small harbour project. We support Chinese enterprises to take part in the Mzimvubu river project and to provide financing support. We will also continue to connect with South Africa on major projects such as the Joburg-Durban high-speed rail,” he said.