Train investment 'real boost' for South African passenger transport

5 April 2011

The purchase of R97 billion (£8.8 billion) worth of new stock for Metrorail and long-distance railway services represents a "significant milestone" in passenger rail transport in South Africa.

This is according to Sibusiso Ndebele, the country's minster for transport, who told business delegates that the move is a major step towards rail modernisation.

He said: "The acquisition of R97 billion new stock for Metrorail and long-distance rail services will serve as the catalyst for the implementation of a major rail investment plan."

Mr Ndebele added that the move would allow the country's transport network to be significantly improved, with new routes and destinations added throughout South Africa.

He said that as a result of the recent FIFA World Cup, the government has invested over R100 billion in the public transport system in the past five years.

"Many of you who witnessed the performance of our public transport system during the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup will confirm that we out-performed ourselves," Mr Ndebele added.

Category: Transport