The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has welcomed an invitation from the Transport Department for private sector participation in the country’s rail revitalisation programme, calling it a significant step forward for SA’s transport sector.
PRASA Chief Executive Officer Hishaam Emeran described the agency’s recent progress as a “remarkable turnaround,” noting that 35 of the country’s 40 rail corridors have now been fully restored. He spoke during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, where Transport Minister Barbara Creecy launched a new Request for Information (RFI) process aimed at attracting private investment and expertise.
“As the Minister clearly highlighted, there are fiscal challenges in funding service optimisation, modernisation programmes, and ensuring we reach 600 million passenger trips by the 2030 financial year,” Emeran said. “We are keen to see the results of this RFI process.”
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to modernise SA’s passenger rail network, improve service delivery, and expand capacity, signalling a renewed focus on sustainable and efficient public transport across the country.
–ChannelAfrica–
