TFR clarifies rate increase time-table

DESPITE NATIONAL newspaper reports, Transnet Freight Rail has denied that it plans to apply an acrossthe- board price increase of 16.5% - 22% from April for general freight cargo. According to TFR spokesman, Sandile Simelane, the railway operator follows a differential pricing approach – and the price increases quoted in the press are specific to grain industry customers. And, although TFR has had its annual price review and future strategy meeting with the Chamber of Milling, other major customers are still in the dark about what they will eventually have to pay. Discussions with various rail contractors – who gobble up the bulk of TFR’s freight capacity – revealed that some are due for meetings with the railway operator this week. Also, one contractor told FTW that the indication of the price rises they would face, according to information from TFR, was “rather unclear” but the new rates looked as though they’d be “anything from 10% upwards”.