Rail infrastructure 'vital for South Africa's economy'

7 July 2009

Increased spending on rail infrastructure will be vital for South Africa's economy, it has been claimed.

Transport minister Sbu Ndebele made this comment after it was announced the country's government would invest R25 billion (£1.9 billion) over the medium term expenditure framework period.

He added the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) had accelerated the rolling stock investment programme since 2006/07, proving it is able to absorb large capital investments.

Some of the money will go towards creating an additional 700 coaches and Minister Ndebele commented: "We should be forward-looking and start investing in a manner that will meet future transport requirements."

Prasa merges the assets, personnel and operations of a number of organisations - including the South African Rail Commuter Corporation, Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl.

The government's aims with the new group are to improve the quality of passenger rails services, make the transport easily accessible to users and effectively target subsidiaries to achieve socio-economic objectives.

Category: Transport