Media Hub

Concern over Transnet’s new fees for private rail users as it releases key draft rules

One of the many great frustrations that most South Africans share is that the government struggles to make some obvious reforms.

Reforms like the improvement of the country’s ailing rail network, that would accelerate much needed economic recovery.

James Holley is the CEO of Traxtion, a company which operates trains in seven countries in other African economies, including West Africa, Mozambique and Egypt.

Unlike here in South Africa, the entire rail network is state-run.

Holley says private investment would signal a departure from state monopolies, and almost certainly revitalise the rail infrastructure and improve efficiency.

More so, he says it’ll be a major boost to the economy.

“The idea of rail reform is something that has really taken root regionally…”

– James Holley, CEO – Traxtion

“In the past, railways were dominated by monopolies…and pretty much all of those monopolies have struggled.”

– James Holley, CEO – Traxtion

“…the move now is to what we call ‘open-access’, where the state maintains control over the infrastructure. The state continues to operate its trains…but the private sector is invited to take up the latent slots on the network.”

– James Holley, CEO – Traxtion

Back