Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 42:2024
Railways Africa Magazine
Railways Africa? is the Authoritative Magazine for the rail industry in Africa
Yap? Merkezi Signs Contract for Railway Construction of Uganda’s Malaba-Kampala Eastern Route
Yap? Merkezi has signed a $3 billion contract for the construction of Uganda’s 273 km Malaba-Kampala Eastern Route Railway. This project, one of the largest undertaken by a Turkish contractor abroad, will connect Uganda with Kenya and boost regional trade and economic growth.
The Beauty and Functionality of Trams
Explore the beauty and functionality of trams through the lens of Alstom’s cutting-edge designs at InnoTrans 2024. Learn how trams, like Berlin’s Urbanliner, offer sustainable urban transport solutions and enhance city aesthetics.
[Read More] - By Phillippa Dean , Editor – Railways Africa Magazine
ArcelorMittal South Africa Almost a Century of Local Steel Manufacturing Excellence
In a recent interview with Railways Africa Magazine , Gaurav Nagpal , the Chief Marketing Officer of ArcelorMittal South Africa , provided insights into the company’s current state, the opportunities and challenges it faces and its plans for the future. The conversation focused on the Long Steel business and particularly the efforts in safeguarding local production of Railway products that are critical for the successful implementation of African Railway infrastructure under AfCFTA principles.
Driving South Africa’s Rail Renaissance: Key Insights from Acting CEO Mmuso Selaledi at the Railway Safety Conference
At this year’s Railway Safety Conference, hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR) in Cape Town, acting CEO Mr. Mmuso Selaledi CA (SA) delivered a thought-provoking speech centred on South Africa’s National Rail Policy and the concept of a “rail renaissance.” His address called for the rail industry to revitalise its approaches, embrace innovation, and focus on safety as a cornerstone of growth in the sector. Selaledi highlighted the importance of collaboration between operators, manufacturers, commuters, and service providers, with safety and productivity as the key drivers of the industry’s future.
Gauteng Shifting from Road to Rail: A Conversation with Transport MEC Kedibone Diale Tlabela
Join us for an insightful “Coffee with the Editor” conversation with MEC Kedibone Diale Tlabela, Gauteng’s MEC for Roads and Transport, recorded at the 2024 Railway Safety Regulator Conference in Cape Town, hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR). In this interview, the MEC discusses exciting developments in Gauteng’s rail sector, including the expansion of Gautrain into Soweto, Mamelodi, and other townships, as well as the proposed high-speed rail link to Limpopo.
Hear more about how Gauteng is positioning itself as a leader in rail infrastructure, not just as a mode of transport, but as a catalyst for economic growth and development. MEC Kedibone Diale Tlabela also shares insights from her recent international trips, including a rail safety conference in Austria and InnoTrans in Berlin. These experiences highlighted how South Africa and the African continent are approximately 20 years behind in rail infrastructure, but the MEC believes that Gauteng is well-positioned to lead the transformation.
The MEC outlines how Gauteng plans to tackle traffic congestion by shifting from road to rail, working closely with PRASA and other stakeholders to revive neglected rail infrastructure. This interview covers the challenges of funding, the importance of public-private partnerships, and the need for more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable public transport solutions. Watch now to find out more about Gauteng’s rail future and its impact on the province and beyond!
Rail Safety, Open Access, and Industry Transformation with RSR Chairperson Nompumelelo Sibongile Ekeke
In this edition of Coffee with the Editor, filmed during the Railway Safety Conference hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR) under the theme “Rail Renaissance”, we sit down with Ms Nompumelelo Ekeke , the Chairperson of the RSR.
Ms Ekeke shares key insights into the state of South Africa’s rail industry, the critical need to move freight off ageing roads and back onto rail, and the importance of modernising the rail sector with innovative solutions. She also discusses the growing synergy within the industry, especially with Transnet now under the Department of Transport, and the preparations being made for the integration of third-party operators.
We also touch on the upcoming Safety Bill and the importance of safety in rail operations, gender transformation in the rail industry, and the inaugural Rail Safety Awards set for 24 October in Johannesburg.
Join us for an insightful conversation about the future of rail in South Africa and the ongoing efforts to create a safer, more efficient, and inclusive rail network.
PRASA’s Recovery and Future Vision: Insights from the Group CEO
In this Coffee with the Editor episode, filmed during the Railway Safety Conference hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR) in Cape Town, PRASA Group CEO, Hishaam Emeran, delves into PRASA’s recovery strategy, future plans, and its role within South Africa’s broader rail industry.
Hishaam shares insights from his recent trip to China, where he explored digital trends and innovations in rail, including advancements in train control systems and real-time data. A key focus for PRASA is improving its ticketing system, with plans to introduce automated ticketing solutions and then looking towards the future to work closely with transport planning authorities to integrate ticketing across different transport modes.
Hishaam acknowledges that fare evasion now is more controlled with PRASA’s limited service and increased security, but this system is still open so there is the possibility for fare evasion to rise. He highlights the significant achievement of 40 million passengers in PRASA’s recovery, though the target is to return to pre-2013 numbers of 500 million passengers annually.
Restoring signalling systems across the country is crucial to achieving high-frequency rail services and attracting more passengers and is a key focus area for PRASA.
Gautrain Expansion and Africa’s Rail Future: Insights from Gautrain CEO
In this Coffee with the Editor episode, filmed at the Railway Safety Conference hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR) in Cape Town, Railways Africa Magazine speaks with Gautrain Management Agency CEO, Tshepo Kgobe PMP . Tshepo provides insights into the exciting developments for the Gautrain, including plans for network expansion, which will extend the Gautrain network to nearly 360 kilometres. This expansion will link key areas such as SEZs, Pretoria and Johannesburg, creating a powerful tool for economic growth in Gauteng and neighbouring provinces.
Tshepo also discusses future high-speed rail projects, station locations, and a vision for Gautrain’s role in regional and international rail networks. He highlights the importance of infrastructure development for economic growth, quoting Premier Panyaza Lesufi 's vision: “Let the cranes go up, and the crime come down.”
Beyond Gauteng, the Gautrain Management Agency is working on international rail projects in Africa, including Namibia and looking at innovative solutions for managing rail projects and operations across the continent.
This interview offers a glimpse into the future of rail in South Africa and how the Gautrain is positioning itself as a key player in the broader African rail network.
Navigating Rail Reform and Open Access: Insights from Adj. Prof. Dr. Andrea Giuricin
In this Coffee with the Editor, Railways Africa Magazine interviews Adj. Prof. Dr. Andrea Giuricin , CEO of TRA Consulting, at the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR) Conference in Cape Town. Dr. Giuricin shares his expertise on global rail reform, the complexities of open access, and the importance of adapting reforms to each country’s unique context.
Dr. Giuricin highlights how countries like Italy, the US, and China have navigated rail reform, with Italy’s high-speed rail network driving a modal shift from short-haul aviation to rail, and the freight-dominated systems of the US. He also touches on Africa’s rail landscape, focusing on the progress in Tanzania and Kenya, particularly in opening access to private operators to boost freight transport.
The conversation covers African rail reform, highlighting Tanzania, Kenya, and the DRC, where significant progress has been made in opening up rail networks to private operators.
How to Be an Effective Infrastructure Manager: Insights from David Jilka, EPSF France at the Railway Safety Conference
At this year’s Railway Safety Conference, hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR – David Jilka from the?Regulatory, European and International Affairs Directorate of the EPSF (Etablissement public de sécurité ferroviaire) , France, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the topic “How Best to Be an Infrastructure Manager.” In his detailed talk, Jilka provided an in-depth look into the French perspective on managing railway infrastructure within the broader context of the European railway system.
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PRASA's Commitment to Safety and Modernisation: Key Takeaways from CEO Hishaam Emeran's Speech at the Railway Safety Conference
At this year’s Railway Safety Conference hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR) in Cape Town, Hishaam Emeran , Group CEO of PRASA Group , delivered a compelling speech emphasising the critical importance of railway safety and the renaissance of South Africa’s rail sector. His remarks painted a clear picture of PRASA’s transformation journey and its commitment to rebuilding a safer, more affordable, and more reliable railway network for the nation.
Emeran began by aligning PRASA’s ongoing initiatives with the conference’s theme, “Rail Renaissance.” He underscored that the rail industry must undergo a full-scale revival to meet growing passenger and freight demands. He noted that a revitalised rail sector would alleviate pressure on South Africa’s congested road networks and provide a safer alternative for transporting passengers and goods.
Navigating Rail Reform and Open Access: Insights from Adj. Prof. Dr. Andrea Giuricin at the RSR Conference
At the recent RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR), Railway Safety Conference and Exhibition in Cape Town, Railways Africa Magazine had the opportunity to sit down with Adjunct Professor Dr. Andrea Giuricin , CEO of TRA Consulting, for an insightful discussion. Known for his work across the global rail sector, Dr. Giuricin offered his expertise on rail reform, the complexities of open access, and how South Africa can draw lessons from international models to improve its rail systems.
Dr. Giuricin’s presentation during the RSR event highlighted the significant challenges in creating open access within rail systems. “It’s not easy at all,” he remarked, explaining that the process of opening access to private operators involves many steps. From creating track access charge systems to capacity allocation, he stressed that reforms cannot be implemented overnight. “Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the same applies to railway reform,” he noted, underscoring the long-term nature of the process.
PRASA’s Implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2: Evolution in Rail Safety Management
At this year’s Railway Safety Conference, hosted by the RAILWAY SAFETY REGULATOR (RSR), Athanacious Makgamatha (MBA, MIRSE, IEEE, IAENG) from the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa ( PRASA Group ) delivered a detailed presentation under the sub-theme “Evolution of the Traditional Rail Safety Management Systems.” The presentation outlined the technical aspects and key milestones of PRASA’s ETCS trial.
Egis Supports Launching New T3 and T4 lines for the Casablanca Tramway in Morocco!
In September this year, the new T3 and T4 lines of the Casablanca tramway in Morocco were put into service.
Since 2017, Egis has supported Casa Transports in this major project by ensuring the complete project management of lines 3 (14 km) and 4 (12.5 km). These lines have 20 and 19 passenger stations, respectively, and each is powered by 19 electrical substations. The fleet consists of 40 trams of approximately 70 m in length, each able to accommodate 600 passengers.
UMK Switches To Rail As Manganese Stocks Reach Saturation In Key Markets
United Manganese of Kalahari (UMK) has announced that the company will be pausing all road freight transportation of manganese and switching exclusively to rail.
Setec Maroc Modernising Urban Transport Tram and BRT
On 18 September setec reported that – Rabat and Casablanca, two of Morocco’s largest cities, are in the process of transforming their public transport systems. Rabat tramway, a major project designed to extend the existing network to meet the growing demand for mobility, and the development of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in Casablanca, bear witness to the authorities’ determination to implement a variety of exclusive right-of-way transport solutions.
Transport Evolution East Africa: Inaugural Event to Drive Regional Economic Growth and Connectivity
East Africa is witnessing unprecedented growth in its transport and logistics sector, with Tanzania leading the way through significant infrastructure investments. One notable example is Tanzania’s $1.9 billion railway project, part of a broader 1,219km network, which is set to transform the region into a critical trade hub connecting landlocked nations to global markets.
To support and accelerate this transformation, dmg events is proud to announce the launch of Transport Evolution East Africa , a new addition to the successful Transport Evolution Africa series of events that take place regionally in Southern and West Africa. Scheduled from 9 to 11 September 2025 in Tanzania, this event is poised to become the leading platform for advancing transport infrastructure and logistics in the region. The event organisers are proud to announce that the event will be run in partnership with the Transporters Association of Tanzania (TAT), who have secured the endorsement of the Ministry of Transport of the United Republic of Tanzania for this inaugural event.
Colas Rail, With Orascom Construction and Hitachi Rail, Has Been Awarded a Contract to Renovate Line 1 of the Cairo Metro
In early September, the consortium, comprising Colas Rail (leader), Orascom Construction PLC and Hitachi Rail , signed a contract with the Egyptian National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) to renovate line 1 of the Cairo underground system for a total of above 800 million euros, including 35% for Colas Rail, 35% for Orascom Construction and 29% for Hitachi Rail: 29%.
African Development Bank Group Appoints Moono Mupotola as Deputy Director General for Southern Africa
The African Development Bank Group has appointed Moono Mupotola , as Deputy Director General for the Southern Africa Regional Development, Integration and BusinessDelivery Office, effective 16th October 2024.
Railway Sleepers: Development and Technical Aspects in Southern Africa – PART 1
In July 1957, Mr. D.C. Robertson, a former railway engineer and Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town, and chairman of the Cape Town Branch of the S.A. Institution of Civil Engineers, wrote three articles dedicated to the history of railway sleepers for Railways Africa Magazine .
The first article, titled?Railway Sleepers: Development and Technical Aspects in Southern Africa, sees Robertson reviewing the development of sleepers on early railways before discussing the first sleepers used by railways in Southern Africa.
He also describes the efforts before and after the Union in South Africa to grow timber for sleepers, the importation of wooden sleepers, and the switch during the inter-war years to steel products.
The first railways ran on granite setts grooved to receive the iron tyres of the wheels. This was before the days of steam locomotives. The “rails” were used in quarries and mines where loads were heavy. Thus, both rail and sleeper were incorporated into one in the earliest railways.