Rail group calls for action to revive unused branch lines

Lack of action on the
fate of SA’s branch lines
in the past has hobbled
the growth of provincial
businesses and the
nation’s agricultural
industry, making the
issue one of the Railroad
Association of South
Africa’s priorities as the
group commemorates its
tenth anniversary year.
“Many of the branch
lines are closed. If you
look at rural branch lines
and lines that serve the
agricultural sector, over
half are out of use,” Allen
Jorgensen, media and
research officer for the
association, told FTW.
Since its inception in
2000, the Association has
sought to bring solutions
regarding transport issues
to government attention,
but has often encountered
apathy, Jorgensen said.
“The issue of secondary
and branch line railways
and what is going to be
done about them comes
down to this: Who is
going to manage the
process?
“Transnet Freight Rail
has recently called for
expressions of interest by
people or organisations
wishing to revive services
but we are concerned
that an appropriate
government regulatory
department should drive
the process, as TFR
should not be both player
and referee,” Jorgensen
said.
“We want local
communities and business
people to manage; people
who have an interest in
transport in their areas,”
Jorgensen said.