RailRoad brings new customers on board pushing for improvement in Spoornet service

JOY ORLEK
AN AGGRESSIVE marketing drive has paid handsome dividends for inland haulage operator RailRoad Africa.
While industry volumes have remained consistent, with vessels sailing full in and out of the port, the company has significantly increased its market share, says regional manager - KZN/SADEC countries, Kerwin Naidoo.
“We launched a drive to target new areas and as a result have brought several new customers on board with our added value benefits,” says Naidoo.
“Our RailRoad Africa Tracking System (RATS) is one of these. While information is currently email generated, the idea is ultimately to provide the customer with the information from his own desk top.
“RailRoad also offers seven day working at the port. In the competitive environment in which we operate, it’s important to go that extra mile.”
Along with the rest of the industry, Spoornet’s shortage of locomotives and rail wagons is an ongoing problem with little chance of a quick fix solution. “From our perspective we have found them to be co-operative and have been able to service our customers, but there is room for improvement and RRA is determined to drive this all the way.”
Naidoo is more concerned about the congestion outside the port where hauliers are often forced to wait up to five hours before entering, resulting in major delays to cargo moving in and out of the terminal.
But despite these challenges, Naidoo is bullish about the year ahead. “We have some exciting new developments in the pipeline which we hope to announce shortly.”