Transnet Engineering (TE) has announced that it is seeking a partner to establish a company to lease rolling stock, including wagons and locomotives, to the market.
The utility’s spokesperson, Ayanda Shezi, said in a statement that the establishment of a leasing company was in response to regional and local demand, and aligned with the parastatal's policy directive for rail reform.
The policy aims to create a more enabling environment by lowering barriers to entry for new train operating companies to use slots on the network in line with the move to allow third-party access.
"Leasing is an effective and sustainable global trend among global rail and port operators, and aims to grow and diversify TE's revenue sources, while driving demand for its core business of manufacturing, re-manufacturing, maintenance, and engineering services," Shezi said.
TE has approached the market to submit responses to its Request for Proposals that were issued on 4 April 2023.
The scope of the partnership includes the acquisition of capital assets, developing rolling stock and port equipment leasing capabilities in South Africa, leasing rolling stock assets in SA and to markets outside the country, development of business opportunities, and ensuring the capital assets are well maintained and available for leasing to customers.
The deadline to submit proposals is 30 June 2023.
