State-owned freight logistics group Transnet reports that the vertical separation of its rail business is on track and that the operating models and organisational designs for the rail operating company and infrastructure manager respectively will be finalised in the first quarter of 2025.

In an update on the institutional reforms being undertaken in line with the Freight Logistics Roadmap and the National Treasury’s guarantee framework conditions, Transnet also said it looked forward to the publication of the final regulatory framework needed for third-party access to the network.

A draft railway Network Statement was published in March, and the Interim Rail Economic Regulatory Capacity (IRERC) has facilitated a consultation process ahead of the publication of a final document.

“Following extensive consultations to align with key stakeholders, the Interim Infrastructure Manager has made its input to IRERC and Transnet looks forward to the publication of the final network statement and proposed tariff methodology to open slots for third party access by 30 September 2024,” Transnet said in a statement.

However, it also announced that a tender, issued in April 2023, for a private partner to work with Transnet Engineering to establish a rolling stock leasing company to provide emerging train operators with access to leased rolling stock had been cancelled, owing to non-compliances in the process.

“Transnet will endeavour to reissue the request for proposals to the market by no later than December 2024.”