Spoornet sets August date for locomotive tenders

Alan Peat THE WINNERS of the 20-year tenders for the upgrade of Spoornet’s locomotive fleet are due to be announced next month (August), according to spokesman Mike Asefovitz. Spoornet has been allocated a sum of R20-billion over the next 20-years for upgrading and increasing rolling stock capacity. This will be allocated at the rate of R1-bn a year and will go a long way to replenishing the wagon shortage in a relatively short time, he said. An additional R200-m was also allocated by Transnet last November for Spoornet to refurbish damaged rolling stock that has been mothballed for some time. This was intended to be a short-term holdover until the new equipment budgets could be allocated, and tenders opened. “We are waiting for Minister of Public Affairs, Jeff Radebe, to make a statement,” said Asefovitz. “But it’s very much there, and very much happening and everything will be going ahead soon.”