Question NW3500 to the Minister of Transport
10 November 2017 - NW3500
Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Has Swifambo Rail Leasing (SRL) taken back the Vossloh Espana-built locomotives; if not, (a) why not and (b) where are the locomotives currently; if so, by what date; (2) what (a) has happened to the balance of the budget, (b) alternatives are being considered upon failure of the judgement and return of locomotives to SRL and (c) is the setback in terms of loss to upgrade the services to passengers in relation to the initial refurbishment plan?
Reply:
1. No
(a) Swifambo is appealing the judgement
(b) The Locomotives are currently staged in the following depots:
Braamfontein: 6 locomotives,
Bloemfontein: 3 locomotives,
Beaufort West: 1 locomotive,
East London: 2 locomotives, and
Port Elizabeth: 1 locomotive.
2. (a) The whole matter has been put on hold pending the appeal
(b) See (a) above
(c) The availability and reliability of locomotives are the biggest challenge to ensure reliable inter-city services in the Main Line Passenger Services (MLPS) business, as well as for Metrorail operations in the Eastern Cape. The original PRASA locomotive programme intended to address this challenge. While the height of the locomotives provides some limitations on certain lines, the AFRO4000 locomotives could be deployed on corridors without over-head power structures or with power over-head power structures of correct profile.
PRASA has entered into an agreement with Transnet to purchase 7 x 7E refurbished locomotives for use in the Eastern Cape. Due to the lack of available locomotives for the MLPS business, PRASA will approaching the market for the lease of locomotives especially for the upcoming high peak season over December/January.