This follows Tuesday’s announcement by the rail agency that, the overhaul of the rail network is in line with the State of the Nation Address by the President last week Thursday.
PRASA multi-billion project also features purchasing 7,200 new coaches over a period of 20 years’.
According to Piet Sebola- PRASA spokesperson by March this year-the agency would be ready to approach the market and start issuing tenders for the required work.
Close to 65,000 jobs are envisaged to be created during the revamp, thus heralding a new era for the rail industry locally to meet international standards.
One of the core mandates for PRASA –which reports directly to the National Department of Transport- is to encourage the use of public transport.
Coaches, network systems and other related equipments have or are reaching sell date, at times resulting in trains being late or burnt by irate customers.
“Acquiring modernized trains and implementation of proper and functioning rail system for South Africans will become a reality. This is our core business,” says Sebola.
Funding model details are likely to be tabled next week during Budget speech.
Rail tourism also play a principal role in the economic development of South Africa, having created thousands of job opportunities, amongst others.
