Department of Transport announce plans for 300km/h train
The high-speed train linking Johannesburg and Durban could transform travel across South Africa.
The Department of Transport (DoT) has announced a new plan to advance long-distance regional rapid transit in South Africa.
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Central to this is the concept of a high-speed railway line linking Johannesburg and Durban, capable of reaching speeds of 300 km/h.
Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy introduced a request for information (RFI) to invite private partners to share ideas and proposals for this ambitious project.
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How will the regional rail network operate?
According to Moneyweb, the 120 km/h regional trains will run on existing infrastructure, connecting key cities such as Pretoria, Johannesburg, Polokwane, Musina, Mbombela and Durban.
Plans also include new lines capable of running trains at speeds of between 160 km/h and 200 km/h.
These lines will shorten travel times, reduce travel costs, take pressure off our roads, and stimulate new development in towns along each route. These regional projects are not possible without private sector partnership.
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When could construction begin?
The minister noted that it is too early to predict a timeline for development.
Reflecting on her experience with the Gautrain, she explained that it took three years from the RFI process to financial closure and another seven years to complete construction.
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She emphasised the importance of starting groundwork now, stating that progress is impossible without initial action.
Why is private sector involvement vital?
Creecy clarified that while there are no plans to privatise rail, private partnerships are essential due to current fiscal constraints.
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Investment could take the form of concession or build-operate-transfer (BOT) models, where ownership would eventually return to the state.
What other projects are part of this initiative?
The RFI also includes four additional opportunities for private-sector involvement:
- Smart ticketing for integrated travel across different transport modes.
- Upgrading PRASA train depots for improved reliability.
- Turning PRASA’s fibre optic network into a revenue-generating asset.
- Leasing and repurposing PRASA’s Blue and Yellow trains.
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How is PRASA’s recovery progressing?
By May 2025, PRASA had reopened 35 of its 40 passenger corridors and reported 77 million passenger journeys. To maintain this recovery, the agency requires further investment, which the RFI process could help attract.
Creecy said the RFIs are not tenders but serve to gather insights and ideas to guide future proposals.
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What are the long-term goals for passenger rail?
The DoT aims to increase passenger journeys to 600 million a year by 2030.
Private participation is considered crucial to achieving this target and building a modern transportation system that enhances competitiveness and supports economic growth.
The DoT has signed an agreement with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the National Treasury, appointing DBSA as the implementing agent for the private-sector participation unit.
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The first phase of RFIs for the Transnet freight sector closed in May 2025 with 162 responses, including submissions from 12 countries.
This growing collaboration between public and private sectors marks a significant step toward a faster, more connected South Africa, linking major cities like Johannesburg and Durban in a new era of modern rail travel.
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