Durban welcomes development on regional speed train linking major cities

Durban welcomes development on regional speed train linking major cities EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has welcomed the Transport Department’s latest move to advance the development of regional speed trains connecting Durban with other major cities, including Johannesburg, Polokwane, Musina, Pretoria, and Mbombela. This follows the issuing of a Request for Information (RFI) by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to explore potential partnerships and technical inputs for the proposed high-speed rail network. Xaba said he has been in ongoing engagements with Minister Creecy and key transport entities, such as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet on a number of strategic initiatives. These include the proposed Durban to Johannesburg speed train, port efficiency improvements, and rail infrastructure upgrades. “I am pleased that all these engagements are yielding positive results. I must indicate that during these engagements I have been constantly emphasising to the Minister and her team the importance of resuscitating the speed train project. “As a city, we welcome this move as it will boost the economy of Durban, especially the tourism sector. Upon completion, thousands of people from Gauteng will be descending on Durban on a weekly basis for business and tourism,” Xaba said. The mayor also welcomed the participation of the private sector in the initiative, highlighting that public–private collaboration is key to improving transport infrastructure and driving economic growth. “I also want to applaud Transnet for continuing to invest in infrastructure upgrades at the Durban Container Terminal to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the port,” said Mayor Xaba. This follows Transnet’s announcement of a R1 billion investment for the procurement of four new ship-to-shore cranes to boost operations at the Durban Container Terminal. Xaba said this investment is crucial in positioning Durban as a globally competitive port city and confirmed that his team is working closely with Transnet on multiple projects to improve port efficiency. He confirmed that the municipality is working closely with Transnet on several projects, aimed at improving port efficiency, including the development of a dry port in Cato Ridge, establishment of truck staging areas, and construction of a second access road to the port. “A Memorandum of Understanding has already been signed between the municipality and Transnet Port Terminals to implement these initiatives. The municipality has also commenced the rezoning processes for land earmarked for these projects,” the mayor said. On the Cato Ridge dry port, Xaba announced that plans are at an advanced stage to launch the Insimbi Ridge Project, a 350-hectare logistics and light industrial development, aimed at improving efficiency along the Strategic Infrastructure Project 2 corridor (Durban to Johannesburg) and decongesting the port. “I am happy that in the next few days, we will be officially launching this project,” Xaba said. – SAnews.gov.za
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