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Transport Department Announce Ambitious Rail Plans
| News by Staff ReporterThe National Transport Master Plan will study possible high-speed rail links throughout SA
The South African Department of Transport said on Wednesday 1 September the concept framework for a Johannesburg – Durban rail link would likely be completed by the end of this financial year.Mr. Mangisi George Mahlalela, Director-General of the Department of Transport said the new rail link would form part of the country's National Transport Master Plan (Natmap), which involves a 20-year renovation of South Africa's rail system.
He said the introduction of an ambitious programme involving new rail stock and technology in our system is a necessity and would protect South Africa's historical investment in the sector, adding that the country's current commuter rail system had reached the end of its lifespan.
Mahlalela said the initial scooping of the project indicated that it would be possible for it to be commercially driven, based on a public-private partnership model.
The National Transport Master Plan would also investigate the possibility of high-speed rail link between Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as Johannesburg and Musina.
The introduction of the Gautrain marked the first high-speed rail for South Africa; however, according to the Natmap the relative costs of the Gautrain would supersede those of the Natmap as the Gautrain required extensive tunnelling and land acquisition before actual construction could begin.
While the details of the project are yet to be worked out, Mahlalela said the reason these issues were being brought to task was to create a national debate to find the best solution.
Initial plans will be submitted to Cabinet by the end of this month, while the concept framework for the Joburg – Durban link is expected to be complete by March 2011.
Source: www.bizpremises.co.za
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