Operation Vulindlela links the revised Network Statement to industry concerns about the bankability of investment in rail operations, with the first cohort of train operating companies preparing for operations from 2027.
The planned Transport Economic Regulator is to provide independent oversight of competition in rail and ports, with investor certainty and efficient tariffs as the intended outcomes.
- Operation Vulindlela’s second-quarter 2026/27 progress report sets December 2026 as the target for establishing a technical task team to finalise the corporatisation approach for the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager.
- TRIM published the fourth iteration of its Network Statement on 18 September 2026 after public input and engagement.
- Cabinet approval to release the National Rail Bill for public consultation is targeted for December 2026.
- Publication of the passenger rail request for information results and analysis is targeted for December 2026.
- The Transport Economic Council appointment and Ports Regulator staff migration are targeted for February 2027, with the regulator to be fully operational by March 2027.
- Outstanding consultations and revisions to the National Rail Master Plan are targeted for completion in March 2027.
A dedicated task team is being established as the corporatisation of the Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) runs behind schedule, according to the Presidency and National Treasury’s Operation Vulindlela progress report for the second quarter of 2026/27. Operation Vulindlela sets December 2026 as the target for establishing a technical task team to finalise the corporatisation approach.
The TRIM Task Team is intended to strengthen oversight by the Presidency, National Treasury and the Department of Transport, and to ensure adherence to the timeframes in the Guarantee Framework Conditions applied to Transnet.
Operation Vulindlela also sets out the next stages of South Africa’s rail reform programme, covering open access, economic regulation, legislation, private sector participation and the National Rail Master Plan.
Network Access and Regulation
TRIM published the fourth iteration of its Network Statement on 18 September 2026 after public input and engagement facilitated by the Department of Transport. Operation Vulindlela says the revised document includes updated access charges for the 2025/26 financial year and a revised Rail Access Agreement, and addresses issues raised by industry stakeholders concerning the bankability of investment in rail operations. It describes the first cohort of train operating companies as preparing for operations from 2027, with its overview placing the start of services in early 2027.
Establishment of the Transport Economic Regulator (TER) has also been delayed.
Operation Vulindlela is supporting the Department of Transport in accelerating the process, with the aim of making the regulator fully operational by March 2027. The TER is to incorporate the existing Ports Regulator and provide independent oversight of competition in rail and ports, with investor certainty and efficient tariffs as the intended outcomes.
Parliament has completed shortlisting for the Transport Economic Council, a statutory component of the TER. Operation Vulindlela targets February 2027 for finalising the council appointment and migrating Ports Regulator staff.
Rail Bill and Passenger Participation
The National Rail Bill has been developed to provide a legislative framework for open access to the freight rail network. The next milestone is Cabinet approval for public consultation, targeted for December 2026, after which the Bill will be published for public comment.
December 2026 is also the target for publishing the rail and ports private sector participation portfolio, together with the results and analysis of the passenger rail request for information. Completion of outstanding consultations and revisions to the National Rail Master Plan, following public consultation and input, is listed for March 2027.
Ports Restructuring and the Manganese Corridor
Cabinet has approved the approach to establishing an independent, state-owned National Ports Authority (NPA) in line with the National Ports Act of 2005. The approval also endorses investigating the feasibility of a minority equity partner from one of the country’s development finance institutions to help fund the transaction. Implementation is to provide for an equitable assignment of liabilities between the Transnet Group and the NPA and ensure the authority’s long-term financial sustainability.
Transnet has also launched a request for qualification process to select a strategic partner for the Ngqura Manganese Export Corridor. The planned new manganese terminal is expected to increase rail exports by a forecast 20%.
Operation Vulindlela records Transnet’s reported R4.6 billion profit for the 2025/26 financial year. Freight volumes improved but fell short of the targets for that year. It attributes the recovery to a sustained focus on existing infrastructure, equipment and processes, and says those interventions remain critical alongside reforms intended to increase investment and competition.
Get the latest Operation Vulindlela report here:
