Question NW785 to the Minister of Transport
10 April 2019 - NW785
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to the leasing of infrastructure such as trains and locomotives by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (a) in the past three financial years and (b) since 1 January 2019, what (i)(aa) leases took place in each month, (bb) is the value of each contract, (cc) were the infrastructure used for and (dd) are the reasons for these leases and (ii) on what date will each lease end in each case?
Reply:
a) PRASA does not lease infrastructure and trains/locomotives except for the interface arrangements with Transnet where PRASA and Transnet rely on the usage of each other’s infrastructure and the ad hoc locomotive support required by PRASA from Transnet from time to time, especially during peak periods.
b) No Leases occurred since 1 January to Date
(i) (aa) Due to the shortage of locomotives, PRASA leased locomotives for Main Line Passenger Services for the peak period from 15 December 2017 to 30 April 2018 at a cost of R44,975m.
(bb) R44 975 million
(cc) The locomotives were used by Shosholoza Meyl during the peak periods of December and Easter to transport long distance rail passengers.
(dd) This was a temporary arrangement to assist during the peak periods of December and Easter.
(ii) The lease ended on 30 April 2018.