TFR simplifies operations - and creates accountability

Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) is well aware of the challenges it faces but is committed to the process and working hard to make a difference. This was the message from Molatwane Likhethe, executive manager of TFR, at the monthly Transport Forum hosted by the University of Johannesburg last week. “We are the first to admit we don’t always get it right and that our service is not always reliable. At the same time we want to improve what we do and we want to be the best at what we do and therefore we have many initiatives in place to bring about the change that the country needs,” he said. “We also have to acknowledge that there is improvement and progress.” Citing the example at the Port of Saldanha where they have managed to set a new record, increasing the weekly tonnage handled to 1.2 million recently, Likhethe said much was being done to motivate staff to ensure operational efficiency and execution within the freight rail parastatal. “One of the things we have done is to simplify operations while at the same time structuring for accountability. We are also planning for efficiency and have introduced better technology to upgrade our systems and procedures. We also try very hard to monitor what we do efficiently so that we know what went wrong and why,” said Likhethe. “But we cannot do it all alone and we are calling on the industry as a whole to join hands and work with us in making the rail strategy a success.” He said TFR had spelt out what they intended doing in the next seven years to bring rail back up to speed.