Green paper on rail transport due out soon

The Department of Transport expects to have a green paper on rail transport available by no later than the end of the year, according to deputy minister Jeremy Cronin. Speaking at the annual Railways and Harbour Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg last week, Cronin said his department was hard at work on the first phase of the new Rail Transport Policy. He said the DoT was developing the “overarching governance strategy” as part of the government’s plan to rebuild the country’s railways. “It will take at least another year following the delivery of the green paper to move into a comprehensive strategy. Policy development is, however, crucial if we want to move forward.” He said this could even result in a Rail Act if deemed necessary. According to Cronin much effort was going into strategy and policy to deal with the significant challenges of the country’s dilapidated rail system. Cronin, who gave the opening address at the conference, told delegates that there was a definite need for a Rail Economic Regulator, something the green paper would also address. “It is necessary to ensure our operators on the system don’t end up playing the role of regulator as well.” He said the DoT hoped to have the policy approved by no later than the end of 2012 as the time for talking was long over. “Action is needed and it is needed now.”