Spoornet plans to double volumes in next five years

UNTIL SPOORNET can guarantee its customers an efficient, predictable, cost-effective rail service, particularly on the Gauteng – Durban corridor, roadfreight will rule. But an efficiency drive by Spoornet is under way, and its strategy department is confident that a new era is dawning. SPOORNET HAS set out very ambitious targets with regard to freight volumes for the next five years, says executive manager – strategy, Alex Masianoga. “We intend to almost double the volumes that we currently move, and that won’t be achieved by doubling infrastructure but rather through efficiency initiatives which we already have on the table,” he told FTW. “The coal locomotive programme announced earlier this year is common knowledge, but people don’t appreciate its implications.” “Delivery of the first locomotive for the coal line is scheduled for 18 months time,” senior manager strategy Francis Callard told FTW. “This locomotive will be commissioned and tested for 6 months and the first batch will be released in 24 months. This will release those locomotives into the broader network and address lack of resources in other areas. “To address the locomotive issue for general freight, we embarked on an ambitious programme some time ago to refurbish and refit our workhorse locomotives and effectively extend their working lives.” This is still under way and will continue for the next two years, says Callard . “A number of these locomotives are in use already and we are now consolidating them onto the Natal main line corridor so that we can improve that particular corridor to address those flows and direct our energies to compete with road.” Because of the size and scope of the Spoornet operation, the rail utility has adopted a phased approach concentrating initially on the corridor with the highest traffic density – and that’s the one between Gauteng and Durban. Considerable effort has also been focused on internal efficiencies, says Masianoga. “Our maintenance programme ensures that resources are back on track speedily and efficiently. “We have to sweat the assets we have without compromising safety and numerous internal interventions are geared toward operational efficiencies.”