Cabinet has approved the release of the draft National Rail Master Plan (NRMP), described as the strategic plan to guide the revitalisation, expansion and modernisation of South Africa’s rail system, for public comment.

“The master plan translates the National Rail Policy, approved by Cabinet in 2022, into a practical, phased investment and implementation plan for freight and passenger rail over the coming decades.

“It aims to create an affordable, competitive system by integrating passenger, freight, and high-speed rail, while encouraging private sector participation,” Cabinet said in a statement.

The plan would also respond to the fact that South Africa’s rail system had experienced years of underinvestment, declining performance, theft, vandalism and operational inefficiencies, which had resulted in road congestion, higher logistics costs, and reduced economic competitiveness.

Analysis by the GAIN Group estimates the daily cost of prevailing transport inefficiencies in South Africa at R750-million, a slight improvement on estimated daily costs of R1-billion in 2023 at the height of the country’s freight logistics crisis.

The draft NRMP has been released as government proceeds with reforms aimed as arresting the decline in the performance of both Transnet Freight Rail and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, while opening the sector to private participation.

In addition, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has indicated that she aims to secure Cabinet approval during the current financial year for a new National Rail Bill that will seek to embed the reforms under way in the sector in legislation.

AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the draft National Airports Development Plan (NADP) for public comment.

Developed by the Department of Transport, the NADP will guide the coordinated development, expansion and long-term sustainability of South Africa’s airport network.

“It provides a strategic, system-wide approach to airport infrastructure planning, ensuring alignment with national transport, economic and spatial development priorities,” the Cabinet statement said, adding that it would ensure that airport development was planned, demand-driven and integrated.