Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (Trim) is seeking public and private sector interest in the refurbishment, financing, operation, maintenance and potential concessioning of 9 098 km of South Africa’s low-density branch railway network.
Trim has published a Request for Information (RFI) covering the B-Network, which includes feeder and branch lines for freight and passenger trains.
The lines are characterised by relatively low freight volumes, small-scale operations and distinct infrastructure profiles. Most connect to the core rail network, facilitating the movement of cargo for export, local consumption or destination packaging, while some have also attracted interest for passenger and tourism services.
The information gathered through the RFI would be used to refine its problem statement and guide the development of one or more future procurement programmes aimed at improving performance and throughput and attracting private-sector capital, skills and expertise, Trim said.
According to Trim chief executive, Moshe Motlohi, private-sector participation in the B-Network was an important part of the country's broader freight logistics reforms.
“The introduction of PSP opportunities on the B-Network is a critical step in reforming South Africa's freight logistics system. By inviting market input, Trim aims to design procurement programmes that are responsive to industry demand and aligned with national policy objectives under the White Paper on National Rail Policy and the Economic Regulation of Transport Act,” he said.
The latest market engagement follows recent progress in opening South Africa’s rail network to third-party operators.
Trim recently announced the conclusion of Rail Access Agreements with 11 new Train Operating Companies, which were allocated slots for selected train paths on the core network following the publication of Network Statement Version 3 in 2024.
The companies are ARC South Africa (ARC), Barberry, Grindrod, Interlinks, IRACEMA, Menar (Menar Ports and Rail), Minrail, Motheo Logistics, Sharp Logistics, The Railway Corporation and TLD Marine.
The operators cover major freight sectors including coal, manganese, containers, fuel and general freight, increasing the number of active rail operators in South Africa from one to 12 across five strategic corridors.
Trim has projected that the introduction of third-party operators could initially add 24 million tonnes of annual freight capacity, potentially rising to 52 million tonnes over the next five years as the country works towards a target of moving 250 million tonnes of freight by rail annually by 2030.
The B-Network RFI extends these private-sector participation opportunities to feeder and branch lines, with Trim seeking market input to inform how future procurement programmes should be structured.
Interested parties have until 10h00 on September 30 to submit responses electronically. RFI documents are available through National Treasury’s e-Tender Publication Portal and Transnet's eTender portal.
