Big changes are on the horizon for South African commuters, as the Department of Transport (DoT) unveils plans for a new high-speed rail network.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy says the proposed line will connect Johannesburg and Durban, dramatically reducing travel times and ushering in a new era of modern, efficient intercity transport.
Creecy shared the exciting news during a briefing held in Pretoria on Sunday, 26 October, where she announced that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) had officially launched Requests for Information (RFI) to explore ideas and partnerships for the massive development.
According to the minister, the proposed high-speed rail line will feature faster, safer, and more frequent regional trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour.
“These lines will shorten travel times, reduce travel costs, take pressure off our roads, and stimulate new development in towns along each route,” Creecy said. “These regional projects are not possible without private sector partnership,” she added.
The Johannesburg and Durban routes are among the busiest in South Africa; therefore, the proposed rail is expected to benefit the travel sector significantly.
The high-speed connection aims to offer travellers an alternative to long drives, short-haul flights, buses, and trains that take over ten hours from Durban to Johannesburg. It is expected to provide a more sustainable and efficient mode of transport.
The DoT’s plan aligns with government efforts to revitalise passenger rail infrastructure and attract private investment into the transport sector.
The minister did not share the estimated timeline for developing the high-speed regional rail.
“It’s very important that we understand that building new railway lines is not an immediate issue, but if you don’t start, you will never finish,” she said.
The high-speed rail line between Johannesburg and Durban will be a game-changer. If successful, the project could pave the way for similar high-speed routes linking other major cities across the country.