High-speed rail project takes another step forward

The Minister of Transport, Sibusiso Ndebele, is set to take the high-speed railway project planned for the Durban to Johannesburg route to Cabinet for approval. A spokesman for the minister said Cabinet approval would kick-start the process that will include a feasibility study on the viability of the Johannesburg to Durban rail link. Last September Ndebele announced that as part of the National Transport Master Plan (NATMAP) 2010-2050, the DoT planned to revitalise the commuter rail network between the two cities. As far back as 2005, through NATMAP, the DoT under Minister Jeff Radebe conceptualised high-speed rail for the Johannesburg to Durban, Johannesburg to Musina, and the Moloto Corridor between Tshwane and the former KwaNdebele in Mpumalanga. The plan for South Africa's first long-distance high-speed rail has triggered major local and international interest. France, Germany, China, the United States of America, Japan, Canada and South Korea among others have contacted the DoT to discuss its plans. “This indicates that there is a huge appetite for rail projects around the world. The project is part of the Department's plans to revitalise the rail industry in South Africa and to unlock the country's economic potential and create jobs in the process,” said the spokesman.