Better utilisation of assets a priority THE SHORTAGE of Spoornet rolling stock must be addressed with urgency, but better utilisation of existing assets would work to the benefit of all, says CEO Dolly Mokgatle. “We don’t have to rush off and spend finances on new equipment. Instead let us look at the load of so-called old material which is standing unused and get it back into service. What used to be termed wrecks must be transformed into swans. There is plenty of equipment out there awaiting refurbishment and we must get it up and rolling to meet customers’ needs. “We will go to the customers and deal with all their problems as best we can. But in turn we need their support. Our rolling stock is often held up for days on end waiting to be unloaded by customers. We need to turn those assets around far quicker and the attitude of holding those assets at their end must change.” Mokgatle has held the post for a mere two months but already appears to have a firm grasp of Spoornet as a whole. “We are investing in technology so that we can track down our trains at any given time,” she says. “We want to speed up the turnaround time. “Along with this we are taking a positive look at pricing structures. We want a fair return on investment, whether it be in refurbished stock or the new equipment which is part of previous long-term investment laid down by Transnet. “Our aim is to move towards market-related prices which must be more transparent. In other words where there is a price hike which has proved highly unpopular with the customers, let us try and sort out the problem. “But tariffs overall are to be given our full attention. We have to line these up against all forms of investment Spoornet is making, and also what efficiencies we need to bring into the existing team.”
