We refer to the article titled ”TFR fails to win strikestruck business”, (FTW October 12, 2012). Transnet Freight Rail finds the article to be highly uninformed, sensational, simplistic, imprudent and naive to say that TFR has failed to capitalise on an opportunity to pursue the truckers’ strike. The article displays lack of understanding of how TFR conducts its business with customers as well as TFR’s complementary role with truckers – particularly on short hauls. What the writer fails to grasp is that Transnet Freight Rail does business through entering into longterm contracts with its customers. All contracts are based on individual customers’ needs dictated by conditions such as distance, the availability of sidings, daily, weekly and monthly volumes, frequency etc. TFR does not “pick up” any ad hoc cargo based on circumstances such as strikes etc. The assertion that TFR would have capitalised on cargo that may not have been moved due to “strike action” is therefore mischievous. For the past five years, TFR has continued to improve on its ability to provide excellent service in the container and automotive business. The company has significantly invested in ramping up its service offering in this sector through its growing capital investment programme, including, amongst others, investing in new rolling stock, rail network systems and signalling. In the past three years, TFR launched a specialised business unit called the container and automotive business unit to focus on railing containers and automotive products. Since the establishment of this unit, TFR has notched up several successes. Most notably, the company has entered into long-term rail contracts with different shipping and automotive companies such as MSC, Maersk, Toyota, BMW and so forth. TFR also moves containerised coal for some Eskom power stations. This strategy will succeed in reducing full truck trips per day from 3000 to 550 over the period. TFR aims to reduce coal road volumes from 37 million tons to less than 7 million tons per annum in the next five years. Sandile Simelane, spokesperson TFR.
