State-owned freight logistics group Transnet has confirmed that an open and transparent framework for granting private train operating companies’ third-party access to the South African railway network hitherto monopolised by Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) will come into operation in April next year.

In unveiling a recovery plan for the embattled group, chairperson Andile Sangqu reported that TFR would be separated vertically by the end of October to create two separate divisions, to be named the Transnet Freight Rail Operating Company (TFROC) and the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM).