The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet have finally listened to the
United National Transport Union (UNTU) by taking hands to improve the pathetic passenger railway services of South Africa.
This revelation came after Lindikhaya Zide, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of PRASA, revealed his turnaround strategy to Labour at the PRASA Bargaining Forum. He described PRASA in his strategy as “experiencing an unprecedented and existential crisis,” but believes that the sinking ship can still be turned around.
Amongst others, PRASA is strengthening its relationship with Transnet and will utilise on-track machines and rail grinding machines from Transnet and expedite rails and rail components through Transnet.
Improvements in the reliability of the infrastructure can be expected as soon as support programmes with Transnet and Strategic Contractors kick-in.
Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, says the Union welcomes the co-operation between the two state-owned enterprises (SOE’s) as it would only benefit both. When passenger rail was separated from Transnet more than a decade ago, it was never the vision that it would be able to exist independently.
“Globally governments support their passenger rail service as it is not a profitable business, but a necessary service for the public being the cheapest form of Transport,” says Harris.
UNTU welcomes the fact that National Treasury is in the process of considering providing PRASA with maintenance funding to improve its business performance. PRASA would be required to report quarterly to the National Treasury and to the Department of Transport.
Harris says UNTU has repeatedly called for Transnet and PRASA to fall under the same Minister who would be required to look at the best interest of both companies. Transnet falls under the Minister of Public Enterprises.
UNTU represents the majority of employees in both SOE’s.
Harris congratulated Zide on the plan and says it is clear that he wants to stabilise the rapid deterioration of the passenger rail service. “Zide is transparent and a man of his word,” says Harris
When confronted by Labour, Zide denied that the latest strategy was copied and pasted from the turnaround strategy his predecessor, Collins Letsoalo, announced in August last year.
According to Zide the latest strategy was a joined effort by the entire management team.
For more information contact Steve Harris on 082 566 5516.
