TRIM’s RFI brings South Africa’s low-density feeder and branch railway lines into the country’s wider rail reform programme, testing public and private sector interest in refurbishment, financing, operation, maintenance and potential concessioning.
The responses will help inform future procurement programmes aimed at improving network performance, increasing throughput and attracting private sector capital, skills and expertise.
- The RFI covers approximately 9 098 km of B-Network railway lines.
- The network includes low-density feeder and branch lines.
- The lines support freight movements and, in some cases, passenger and tourism services.
- TRIM is assessing interest in refurbishment, financing, operation, maintenance and potential concessioning.
- Information submitted through the RFI will inform the design of future procurement programmes.
Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) has published a Request for Information (RFI), inviting interested parties to submit proposals for partnership opportunities across South Africa’s B-Network railway lines, including feeder and branch lines for freight and passenger trains.
The RFI seeks to assess public and private sector interest in the refurbishment, financing, operation, maintenance and potential concessioning of low-density branch lines. These lines, covering approximately 9,098 km, are characterised by relatively low volumes, small-scale operations and distinct infrastructure profiles. Most B-Network branch lines connect to the core rail network, facilitating the movement of cargo for export, consumption or destination packaging. Some lines have attracted interest for passenger and tourism services.
Information gathered through the RFI will assist TRIM in refining the problem statement and guide the design of one or more procurement programmes on the national rail network to improve performance, increase throughput and harness private sector capital, skills and expertise.
“The introduction of PSP opportunities on the B-Network is a critical step in reforming South Africa’s freight logistics system. By inviting market input, TRIM aims to design procurement programmes that are responsive to industry demand and aligned with national policy objectives under the White Paper on National Rail Policy and the Economic Regulation of Transport Act,” said Moshe Motlohi, TRIM Chief Executive.
The RFI builds on recent progress in opening South Africa’s rail network to third-party operators.
TRIM recently announced the successful conclusion of Rail Access Agreements (RAAs) with 11 new Train Operating Companies (TOCs) that were allocated slots for selected train paths on the core network following the publication of Network Statement Version 3 in 2024.
