According to a Bloomberg report, SA’s plan to widen the country’s railways would cost as much as R1.5 trillion, take years to implement and require the cooperation of neighbouring nations including Mozambique and Botswana, according to state transport company Transnet.
It should start to convert its 20 000 kilometres of track to standard-gauge rail size from the narrower Cape gauge, transport minister Dipuo Peters told reporters yesterday (Tuesday). That would bring the network in line with about 60% of other countries, boost capacity and reduce transportation costs, she said.
Transnet acting-CEO, Siyabonga Gama, said that while the company supports a move to standard gauge, the policy “needs further investigation” to determine its viability.
Sources: Bloomberg and The Mozambican Investor
