The focus is on enabling third-party operators to access parts of the network and encouraging private investmentThe rail reform under way in SA is a welcome — albeit overdue — prospect which has afforded Transnet an opportunity to play a leading and defining role in changing the trajectory of the industry and the national economy.
Third-party access is not an instant or “quick-fix” task where Transnet Freight Rail merely auctions off slots and, based on the number of responses received, is either judged a success or a failure. It is a process — an urgent one for TFR — in which our customers and shareholder want to be assured that we have a plan to evolve into an innovative rail company, actively driving economic growth.
At Transnet, we tend to see the situation differently. We have a solid and focused leadership team, a world-class corporate strategy to revitalise the business, and some exciting ideas around the growth of our rail and port assets. We see the glass as half-full, and filling.Despite criticism from day one, the reality is that the sale of the first slots to Traxtion Sheltam, announced last week, was a significant milestone in the revitalisation of SA’s freight rail network.
Transnet is looking forward to this development, not only because it will improve freight rail capacity but because it is a first step towards greater things. The Traxtion Sheltam agreement will allow us to assess and refine the dynamics around having a private train-operating company run on our networks, and to bed down what we mean when we talk about private sector participation.