President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that South Africa is well on its way to introducing high-speed passenger trains in the near future.
Addressing attendees at the inaugural National Transport Conference in Johannesburg, he noted that the government has launched a new Request for Information “to attract private investment in rapid regional rail”.
Ramaphosa declared that when transport arteries are blocked or inefficient, growth stalls, costs rise, and opportunities diminish, but when they flow freely, the country thrives.
“An effective transport and logistics system is not merely about moving goods and people. It is about unlocking opportunity, restoring competitiveness, reducing inequality and enabling inclusive growth,” he said.
With several countries across the African continent investing heavily in their own rail and port infrastructure, South Africa has an opportunity to compete and cooperate.
“It creates competition for our rail and port operations, but it also opens up great opportunities for trade, investment and cooperation throughout our region and across the continent,” noted the president.
South Africa needs resilient and sustainable infrastructure to ensure agile and adaptable operational capabilities.
To achieve this, the government has placed logistics reform at the heart of its economic recovery strategy.
According to Ramaphosa, a critical imbalance exists within South Africa, as around 69% of all freight moves by road, straining the network and leading to an estimated loss of R1 billion daily.
Although he emphasised the importance of freight rail, the president noted that passenger rail is essential for inclusive growth.
“An effective passenger rail system connects communities and provides dignity to working-class South Africans,” he said.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has revived 37 of 40 priority passenger rail lines, introducing more than 300 locally-manufactured train sets.
Ramaphosa noted that the target is 116 million passenger journeys in the current financial year, while Prasa aims for 600 million trips by 2029.
“Reliable passenger rail lowers commuting costs and improves access to work, education and healthcare,” he noted.
The government has also launched a new Request for Information, hoping to attract private investment in high-speed trains, rolling stock, and depot modernisation.
An interdependent network
While much of the emphasis was on rail recovery, Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of South Africa’s broader logistics and transport network.
“Road transport remains indispensable,” noted the president.
He mentioned that the trucking industry will continue to play a vital role in South Africa’s logistics supply chains, while the taxi industry carries around 80% of those who use public transport.
“The economics of the industry have an impact on the sustainability of public transport, driver behaviour and road safety,” Ramaophosa said.
“We are working with taxi associations and financial institutions to de-risk the industry and provide accessible finance to taxi owners and drivers.”
Speaking on the importance of South Africa’s port infrastructure, Ramaphosa explained that more than 90% of local trade volumes move by sea.
He added that the current Middle East conflict has placed a spotlight on our ports and their strategic value, noting that when shipping routes are disrupted, South Africa has an opportunity to position itself as an alternative hub.
“Our ports must be geared to handle any eventuality at short notice and to respond to a geopolitical environment that is becoming more unpredictable,” he said.
“Coastal shipping will be critical to advancing the African Continental Free Trade Area and promoting regional integration.”
Air transport will also play a major role in this advancement, as the African Union (AU) Single African Air Transport Market envisions a deregulated airspace, allowing improved connectivity between African states.
“A flight that should take four hours should not take eighteen,” noted Ramaphosa.
“Together with our continental partners, we are pursuing the vision of bringing African cities closer together and making travel between them cheaper and easier.”
He added that the aviation sector is crucial to our efforts to drive tourism, enabling growth and job creation.
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