Question NW3542 to the Minister of Transport
05 December 2018 - NW3542
Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) How are trains, coaches and locomotives transported via any rail that is not electrified, (b) for how long has this been the situation in each case, (c) what are the costs in each case, (d) what are the future plans for the rail lines and (e) what are the timelines, timeframes and deadlines in this regard in each case?
Reply:
a) All lines where Metrorail trains are running, are electrified and this is done through electric motor coaches with plain trailers (coaches without motor unit). The only exception is the Eastern Cape services in East London and Port Elizabeth. Here the plain trailers (coaches) are pulled with diesel locomotives.
Mainline Passenger Services coaches (sleepers and sitter coaches) are pulled with diesel locomotives.
b) The status of these lines is as it were since the start of the South African Rail Commuter Corporation. Transnet can provide exact details.
c) The cost for diesel in MLPS was R33,964m for 2017/18 and for Eastern Cape Metrorail R39,158m for the same period.
d) PRASA does not own the lines which are not electrified and therefore cannot respond on this.
e) Not applicable for PRASA.