Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 17:2024
Railways Africa Magazine
Railways Africa? is the Authoritative Magazine for the rail industry in Africa
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa Marks Milestone with Trainset 200 Delivery and Southern Line Re-signalling
On 23 April 2024, Ms. Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Minister of Transport, officially commemorated the delivery of trainset 200 and the re-signalling of the Southern Line in Cape Town. Organised by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the event was attended by the National Department of Transport, members of PRASA’s Board of Control and Management, and representatives from Gibela, among others.
Gibela Rail Transport Consortium , comprising OEM 阿尔斯通运输 (70%) and Ubumbano Rail (30%), is the consortium responsible for manufacturing 600 Alstom-designed X'Trapolis Mega EMU trains, equating to 3600 coaches. These trains are fondly referred to as Isitimela Sabantu, which translated to English means ‘the people’s train’.
In highlighting the historical challenges of PRASA Group , coupled with the devastating impact of theft and vandalism of the PRASA system nationwide during Covid, the minister touched on the Agency’s turnaround plan, which included:
To date, PRASA has partially recovered and reopened 31 of the 40 corridors it operates, and work to revitalise the passenger rail service continues. In the Western Cape, which encompasses 14 lines across five municipalities, PRASA has partially restored 12 of the 14 lines.
Rail Reform In South Africa: Progress And Challenges
A brief discussion on the future of rail transport in South Africa with Ngwako Makaepea , Deputy Director General of Rail Transport, during the PRASA Group celebration in Cape Town on 23 April 2024.
Ngwako highlights the Department of Transport’s commitment to advancing rail reform, emphasising the importance of laying down foundational building blocks for a robust system. He discusses key initiatives such as the freight logistics roadmap and the establishment of the Transnet Infrastructure Manager.
Land-Linked Zambia Event Highlights Zambia's Railway and Transport Vision for Regional Integration
During the Land-Linked Zambia event held on April 4-5, 2024, Honourable Frank Tayali, Zambia’s Minister of Transport and Logistics, outlined the nation’s ambitious plans to become a central transport hub in Southern Africa. The conference, themed ‘Connecting Zambia by Land,’ brought together industry experts to discuss enhancing trade, investment, and the seamless movement of goods and services across Zambia and beyond.
Minister Tayali highlighted the strategic development of key transport corridors that include the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor, the Lobito Corridor, the Nacala Corridor, the North-South Corridor, the Beira Corridor and the Central Corridor. These corridors are pivotal in transforming Zambia into a land-linked nexus, leveraging its rich resources and strategic location to boost regional connectivity.
PRASA’s Progress And Innovation In Train Systems And Signalling: An Interview With Athanacious Makgamatha
On April 23, at a celebratory event marking the 200th trainset and the re-signalling of the Southern Line in Cape Town, Athanacious Makgamatha (MBA, MIRSE, IEEE, IAENG) , General Manager: SAD Signals and Telecoms, shared insights into the latest advancements in South Africa’s passenger rail systems with Railways Africa Magazine , discussing ongoing progress and future plans.
In respect of the Southern Line, Makgamatha highlighted the complete recovery of the signalling system from Cape Town to Simonstown, enabling reduced intervals between trains. “We are able to run at 20 minutes headways,” he noted, indicating the significant improvement in frequency and flexibility in train scheduling. Interestingly enough, the system can get down to two and a half minutes headway; however, only achievable once the line is fully recovered.
[Read More] - Includes Video Interview
Celebrating Progress: Reggie Boqo On Gibela's Milestones And Future Prospects
During the recent PRASA celebration on 23 April 2024, which marked both the launch of the 200th train and the resignalling of the Southern Line in Cape Town, we had the opportunity to speak with Reggie Boqo , the Acting CEO of Gibela Rail Transport Consortium and former Chief Financial Officer.
Reggie highlighted the milestone of 214 trains manufactured to date, noting that the company reached peak production this past financial year by manufacturing 62 trains. He assures that Gibela is set to maintain this production rate in this financial year as well, having scaled up operations and engaged extensively with their supplier base and supply chain ecosystem.
Currently, 208 of these trains have been delivered to the customer, with the remaining ones undergoing the final testing and acceptance stages. Gibela, a joint venture between 阿尔斯通运输 and the local consortium Ubumbano Rail, is executing two major contracts for PRASA: producing 600 trains and managing a 19-year maintenance and support contract.
The interview also touched on future possibilities beyond the current contract, with Reggie expressing excitement about the prospect of South Africa becoming the rail hub of the continent, supported by long-term infrastructure investments.
Tune in to the full interview to explore how Gibela is not only advancing South Africa’s rail industry but also shaping its future as a central player in the continental rail network.
Navigating The Rails Of Change: Professor Havenga Comments On Current Rail Developments In South Africa
Professor Jan Havenga , the newly appointed board member of PRASA Group , offered an insightful dialogue on current rail affairs in South Africa, during the celebration of the PRASA’s 200th train launch in Cape Town on 23 April 2024.
[Read More] - Includes Video Interview
领英推荐
Newly appointed CEO of Namibia’s railway company, TRANSNAMIB LIMITED , Desmond van Jaarsveld , says he took up the challenge of heading the company because he recognised a unique opportunity to significantly impact TransNamib’s operations and overall performance.
From Support To Action: Amplifying Women’s Voices In Rail With Traxtion
In 2023, Traxtion unveiled the “The Future Of Rail Is Women Campaign” which garnered substantial attention across the South African rail industry. This campaign aims to foster awareness and education about the rail sector, highlighting the opportunities it presents. Its ultimate goal is to challenge the misconception that rail and transport are exclusively male domains, thereby encouraging more women to join this vibrant sector.
Green Light for Second Phase of Lagos Blue Line Rail Project
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority has confirmed that financing for the second phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line has been secured. The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Access Bank have agreed to jointly fund the completion of this crucial infrastructure project.
The Afreximbank team has expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress and anticipates a ramp-up in construction activities in the coming weeks. Finalisation of the necessary paperwork is underway and is expected to be signed by the Lagos State Government soon.
Stretching 14km from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, the second phase of the Blue Line is set to significantly enhance transport in Lagos. It promises a faster and more convenient commute for residents travelling between the Island and the mainland.
Upon its completion, the Blue Line is projected to transport over 450,000 passengers daily, greatly improving the public transport system in the region.
Prime Minister Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Witnesses The First Trial Run Of The SGR Train From Dar es Salaam To Dodoma
Tanzania’s Prime Minister Hon. Kassim Majaliwa has witnessed the inaugural trial run of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma on 21 April 2024. This trial train transported various government officials and religious leaders from across Tanzania, for a special prayer session aimed at blessing the nation as it approaches the 60th anniversary of the Tanzanian Union.
Malawi Ratifies Tripartite Free Trade Agreement, Bringing It Closer to Activation
Malawi has become the twelfth nation to ratify the Tripartite Free Trade Agreement (TFTA), edging the multi-nation deal closer to its activation threshold of 14 countries. The ratification document, signed by Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nancy Tembo, was officially delivered to COMESA Secretary General Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe on 23 April 2024.
The TFTA, launched in Egypt in June 2015, aims to streamline economic activities across three regional economic communities: the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). To date, 22 member states have signed the agreement, with ratifications now including Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi.
The agreement’s primary objectives are to create a unified free trade area to enhance trade and investment regulations, promote inter-regional infrastructure projects, and improve cooperation across transport, communications, and financial sectors. These efforts are expected to facilitate the movement of businesspersons within the tripartite region and foster broader economic integration based on market integration, industrial development, and infrastructure enhancement.
With Malawi’s ratification, momentum is building for the remaining two member states to ratify the TFTA, potentially unlocking significant economic opportunities for the region.
Egypt: President El-Sisi Meets Prime Minister, Ministers of Planning, Finance, and Transport
On 22 April 2024, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met with Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Finance Dr. Mohamed Maait, and Minister of Transport Lieutenant General Kamel El-Wazir.
Zambia Launches National Green Growth Strategy with COMESA Support
In a significant move towards sustainable development, the Government of Zambia, supported by COMESA and multiple international partners, has officially launched the National Green Growth Strategy (GGS). This strategic initiative, unveiled in Lusaka on April 24, 2024, by the Minister for Green Economy and Environment, Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, is designed to align Zambia’s economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The GGS lays out a plan for resilient, climate-compatible growth, resource efficiency, and enhanced natural capital. It aims to transition Zambia to a green economy by 2030, focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, energy, and water management to promote sustainable infrastructure and resilience against climate change.
The strategy is part of Zambia’s broader commitment to its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, seeking to reduce emissions and create green job opportunities. With backing from the NDC Partnership and various global entities, including the EU and the World Bank, Zambia’s green transformation exemplifies regional collaboration for sustainable development.
Siemens Mobility Together With Hassan Allam Construction Wins Signalling Contract For The UAE – Oman Railway Link (Hafeet Rail)
Siemens Mobility , together with its consortium partner Hassan Allam Construction, has announced that it has been awarded the Abu Dhabi – Sohar Design and Build Railway Systems and Integration contract by Oman – Etihad Rail , a joint venture co-owned by the two countries to deliver this network.
Siemens Mobility and Hassan Allam Construction will deliver the design, build and integration of the ETCS Level 2 signalling, telecom and power supply systems over the 303-kilometer-long Abu Dhabi – Sohar railway link. The signalling solutions are state-of-the-art and desert-proof. This project marks the first-ever cross-country railway network in the Middle East and Arab world.