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Reply to a DA parliamentary question reveals minister believes PRASA needs public-private partnership
South Africa's train commuters currently not being served by existing state passenger service
DA calls for new legislation detailing privatisation of PRASA





A reply to a Democratic Alliance (DA) parliamentary question today indicates that the minister of transport has finally recognised that South Africa's passenger rail industry cannot continue to function unless public-private partnerships are sought. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has continuously called for the formation of public-private partnerships in the devolution of the ownership of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the entity responsible for the maintenance of passenger rail infrastructure.

In the reply, the Minister of Transport indicates that: "...there is indeed a role for the private sector in the rail sector. It is important, though, to find the appropriate role and balance between the private sector and the State in funding rail passenger transport."

A copy of the reply follows below.

The DA welcomes the fact that the Department has finally removed its head from the sand and realised that government funding alone is not sufficient to ensure that optimal, safe and reliable passenger rail transportation is available to our train commuters.

While the DA agrees that a balance between the roles that the government and the private sector would play respectively must be thoroughly researched before implementation, the minister should seriously consider the structure suggested in our Transport policy. The DA believes that Shosholoza Meyl and Metrorail should be sold off to the private sector. PRASA can, however, retain ownership of the physical components of the rail network (track, land lease, bridges, tunnels, signaling and communications) and furthermore be responsible for maintenance costs, safety and funding capital investment.

It would not be the first time the Department of Transport would be adopting DA Transport policy. In the last year alone, the Minister has adopted a number of DA policies including the registration and accreditation of driving schools, the dedicated road maintenance fund and annual roadworthiness tests for public transport vehicles.

The DA will be writing to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Transport, requesting that Parliament draw up legislation that would detail the partial privatisation plan of PRASA.