Thursday September 27, 2002
"The National Railway Safety Regulator Act Come into Operation"
The President of the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki has signed the proclamation of the National Railway Safety Regulator Act, 2002 (Act No. 16 of 2002), in order to bring the Act into operation with effect from 20 September 2002. The Act aims to provide for the establishment of a Railway Safety Regulator. This Act will provide the Railway Safety Regulator staff members; provide for safety standards and regulatory practices for the protection of persons, property and the environment; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
The purpose of the Act is to: provide for and promote safe railway operations; to encourage the collaboration and participation of interested and affected parties in improving railway safety; recognise the prime responsibility and accountability of operators in ensuring the safety of railway operations; facilitate a modern, flexible and efficient regulatory regime that ensures the continuing enhancement of safe railway operations; promote the harmonisation of the railway safety regime of the Republic with the objectives and requirements of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for the operation of railways; and further the achievement of such purpose by establishing a suitable regulatory institution.
The Act will apply to the operation of any railway within, or partly within, the Republic with a track gauge equal to or wider than 600 mm, and any other system designed to transport passengers or freight or both, declared by the Minister by notice in the Government Gazette to be a railway or railway operation, or both.
The objectives of the Railway Safety Regulator are to: oversee safety in the railway transport industry; promote the use of rail as a mode of transportation through improved safety performance in the railway transport industry; develop any regulations that are required in terms of this Act; and monitor and ensure compliance with the Act.
The Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar, welcomed the President's endorsement of the Act and said he was pleased because this was a victory for the safety of the majority of people who rely on rail as their only mode of transport. "It is our objective to make rail transport a preferred mode of transport. We would like to see all our train operators operating within the minimum safety standards as prescribed by the Regulator. We are pleased that the Regulator will assist us in many areas and our people's travelling experience will certainly be enhanced. People demand safety and government should play its role in creating an environment for safety. Safety is our priority", Omar said.
Issued by: Innocent Mpe
Deputy Manager: Media Liaison
Tel: 012 309 3331
Cell: 082 908 0054
Fax: 012 309 3925
mpei@ndot.pwv.gov.za