2006 Media Releases
Shosholoza Meyl to Run Additional 446 Trains Over the Festive Season
Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance passenger rail service of Spoornet, today announced that due to an increase in demand, 446 additional trains to all major destinations would be available between 1 December 2006 and 5 January 2007.
Spoornet Chief to Head the Union of African Railways
Spoornet's Chief Executive, Siyabonga Gama, has been elected as President of the Union of African Railways (UAR). The Union is made up of members from railway undertakings within the territories of the member states of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). Gama will hold office for a period of two years.
Spoornet Making Great Progress in Rolling out its Capital Program
Spoornet's projected R31, 5 billion capital expenditure over the next 5 years is aimed at ensuring appropriate investment in the bulk freight market, particularly at boosting its strategy of expansionism. Spoornet aims to expand its market share to up to 25% in five years. The company aims to move a volume of 226 million tons by 2008/9 - up from 180 million tons in 2005/6.
Spoornet's Response to Charter Trains
Shosholoza Meyl, the long-distance passenger service business unit of Spoornet, has come under fire recently by members of the charter train industry who have falsely accused the company of using the shortage of locomotives, over which they have no jurisdiction, to gain an unfair advantage over rail charter operators.
Overhead Cable and Locomotive Battery Theft Cause Serious Disruptions to Spoornet Service
Cable and locomotive battery theft in the East of Johannesburg region in the past few weeks has been seriously disrupting Spoornet's traffic flow. The disruption has been on trains out and into Johannesburg particularly on the Natal corridor and Cape corridor. The commodities that get delayed or affected vary from cement, coal, iron ore, cars, container traffic and also passenger trains.
Transnet extends Ms Ramos' contract
Ms Maria Ramos has agreed to renew her contract as the Group's Chief Executive for a further two years when it expires in October 2006.
Launch of Premier Classe full train set
It is with a sense of great pride that we celebrate the official launch of the Premier Classe Complete Train Set. This is Shosholoza Meyl's flagship and luxury service between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Spoornet's Purchase of 110 New Locomotives
Several months of negotiations have eventually culminated in the signing of an agreement between Transnet and MITSUI & COMPANY AFRICAN RAIL SOLUTIONS PTY LTD (MARS). The agreement provides for the supply of 110 new electric AC/DC locomotives for the Coal line at a total cost of R 3.5 billion over 5 years.
Overhead cable theft causes serious disruptions to Spoornet service
Cable thefts in the Gauteng region in the early hours of this morning seriously disrupted Spoornet's traffic flow in several areas.
Train derailment
Spoornet regrets to announce that a freight train en route to Botswana derailed at Groot-Marico this morning.
Spoornet back to business after Deelfontein train accident
Spoornet today announced that the main line between De Aar and Beaufort West was re-opened following yesterday's collision between a Shosholoza Meyl passenger train and The Blue Train.
Train Accident
At approximately 23:07 last night a Shosholoza Meyl passenger train (Trans Karoo train 18007), collided with The Blue Train which was stationary at Deelfontein between De Aar and Beaufort West.
Or read the Transnet media release.
Spoornet Hosts International Railway Safety Conference
Spoornet will host the 15th International Railway Safety conference (IRSC), which will be held from the 9th to 14th October 2005 in Cape Town.