‘TFR spreads good service message by word of mouth'

Transnet Freight Rail has told FTW that it faces no challenges in convincing customers to use its service. “Customers are using word of mouth to share the level of good service they are experiencing,” TFR spokesman Sandile Simelane told FTW. “Like in any system, it can always be improved and not all customers are fully happy,” he said, “but we are continuing to grow market share in our general freight business and are comfortable with our growth given the state of the economy.” Further details of the level of growth will be released when the annual results are made public, he added. While TFR may deny that it has any challenges in winning traffic from road, shippers approached by FTW pointed to the lack of reliability and predictability of the service as a major constraint in their modal choice. The introduction of a scheduled service unveiled by TFR CEO Siyabonga Gama in November 2011 was a step in the right direction. But Simelane points out that optimal operation demands buy-in from all stakeholders. “TFR runs 1400 trains a day throughout its network. The Natcor (Gauteng- Durban) is a key route for automotive, containers and other minerals. “We are currently experiencing 50% compliance on this route to the scheduled railway. This is driven largely by customer demand which has been impacted by the downturn as well as incidents at container terminals in Durban and rail incidents en route to Durban and Gauteng.” Industry is highly receptive to the scheduled railway philosophy, he added, and some are more aware than others that in order for it to work even better requires all players in the supply chain to support the plan. “Network reliability, rolling stock availability and ships offloaded timeously are all key indicators for the success of the initiative,” he said. A key stakeholder in the big picture is Transnet Port Terminals, and upgraderelated delays in Durban have clearly impacted the rail operation. In October last year, TFR intermodal business unit executive manager Wiseman Madinane told FTW that TFR was revisiting the idea of equalising rail rates on the Jo’burg-PE route with Jo’burg-Durban during the upgrades. These discussions are continuing, said Simelane, but no definitive decisions have yet been made. In response to customer requests for better track and trace feedback from TFR, he said an initiative to enable track and trace was ongoing internally. The objective going forward is volume growth, said Simelane. “Our Market Demand Strategy requires continuous improvement and efficiency gains to assist us to continue taking market share.” INSERT ‘Industry is highly receptive to the scheduled railway philosophy.’ CAPTION Siyabonga Gama ... scheduled service launched with fanfare in 2011.