Open access to the freight rail network for private train operators

Record ZAF-R-0004 · draft, not yet reviewed by a person

Status by track

RulesIn force · 3 Jul 2026sources checked 26 Oct 2026

Access runs on Network Statements published by Transnet's infrastructure manager. A new iteration was published on 3 July 2026, with a final version incorporating industry input and an updated access tariff targeted for August 2026. A trade-press report of 21 September 2026 says Network Statement Version 4 has been gazetted; whether that is the same document is not established.

Network Statement (July 2026 iteration) · 3 Jul 2026
"A new iteration of the Network Statement was published on 3 July 2026" "A new iteration of the Network Statement was published on 3 July 2026"Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.9, Reform 2 · 3 Jul 2026not yet checked by a person
Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.9, Reform 2 · not yet checked by a person
Network Statement (final version with updated access tariff) · target: Aug 2026
a final Network Statement incorporating industry input and an updated access tariff, targeted for August 2026 a final Network Statement incorporating industry input and an updated access tariff, targeted for August 2026Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.10, next steps · target: Aug 2026paraphrase, not a quotation
Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.10, next steps · paraphrase, not a quotation
Network Statement Version 3 · undated
Network Statement Version 3 set the basis for the slot allocation, including rail access fees Network Statement Version 3 set the basis for the slot allocation, including rail access feesEleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article textparaphrase, not a quotationSecondary source: the Network Statement itself was not read
Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article text · paraphrase, not a quotation
Network Statement Version 4 · undated
Network Statement Version 4, covering 2026/27 and 2027/28, published in Gazette No. 55426; it extends access contracts from 10 to 15 years, including for the first operators Network Statement Version 4, covering 2026/27 and 2027/28, published in Gazette No. 55426; it extends access contracts from 10 to 15 years, including for the first operatorsNew version of rail Network Statement officially gazetted · article textparaphrase, not a quotationSecondary source: the Gazette notice and TRIM's own publication were not read
New version of rail Network Statement officially gazetted · article text · paraphrase, not a quotation

Not established

Whether Version 4 is the final version the Q1 report targeted for August 2026, and what the updated access tariff is.
The Q3 2025/26 report targeted a revised Network Statement "incorporating IRERC recommendations" for February 2026; whether one was published then was not checked.

DeliveryTargeted · 2027, Q1 2027sources checked 26 Oct 2026

rail access agreements concluded with 11 train operating companies · 13 May 2026
TRIM confirmed the agreements at a ceremony in Sandton on 13 May 2026; the operators are ARC South Africa, Barberry, Grindrod, Interlinks, IRACEMA, Menar, Minrail, Motheo Logistics, Sharp Logistics, The Railway Corporation and TLD Marine TRIM confirmed the agreements at a ceremony in Sandton on 13 May 2026; the operators are ARC South Africa, Barberry, Grindrod, Interlinks, IRACEMA, Menar, Minrail, Motheo Logistics, Sharp Logistics, The Railway Corporation and TLD MarineEleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article text · 13 May 2026paraphrase, not a quotationSecondary source: no Transnet release was found; the Q1 Vulindlela report (p.10) confirms the agreements but not their date
Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article text · paraphrase, not a quotation
slot allocation · target: the first quarter of 2027
"the allocation of 41 slots"; "Seven of the eleven train operating companies (TOCs) allocated slots will commence operations on the" freight rail network "in the first quarter of 2027" "the allocation of 41 slots"; "Seven of the eleven train operating companies (TOCs) allocated slots will commence operations on the" freight rail network "in the first quarter of 2027"Operation Vulindlela Phase II, Q3 2025/26 progress report · printed p.8 / PDF p.12, Reform 2 key milestones · target: the first quarter of 2027not yet checked by a person
Operation Vulindlela Phase II, Q3 2025/26 progress report · printed p.8 / PDF p.12, Reform 2 key milestones · not yet checked by a person
start of private operations · target: from early 2027
"Work is underway by the Transnet Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) and the TOCs to prepare for operations from early 2027" "Work is underway by the Transnet Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) and the TOCs to prepare for operations from early 2027"Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.10 · target: from early 2027not yet checked by a person
Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.10 · not yet checked by a person
condition of the network operators enter
operators would "enter at their own risk a network that had been neglected" operators would "enter at their own risk a network that had been neglected"Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article text, remarks of TRIM's chief executivenot yet checked by a personSecondary source: the remarks were made at the signing event; no transcript or release was found
Eleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article text, remarks of TRIM's chief executive · not yet checked by a person

Not established

Which corridors the 41 slots are on, and whether any run to a border or a port serving neighbouring countries. The sources read do not say.
The 24 million tonnes TRIM expects the operators to add is reported without a method; it is recorded here as TRIM's expectation, not as a forecast.
Whether any private train has run on the mainline. None was found in the sources read; a short Cato Ridge to Durban service was reported as targeted for May 2026.

FundingNot applicable

Blockers

Private trains are contracted but not yet running, and the Act's rail access chapter is listed as not yet commenced in the version read, though the regulator itself is in force · evidence of the constraint

Institutions named

A role is shown only where a quoted source says what the institution does on this reform.

Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager
implements confirmed the rail access agreements with the 11 private operators, and is preparing with them for operations from early 2027 TRIM confirmed the agreements at a ceremony in Sandton on 13 May 2026; the operators are ARC South Africa, Barberry, Grindrod, Interlinks, IRACEMA, Menar, Minrail, Motheo Logistics, Sharp Logistics, The Railway Corporation and TLD MarineEleven private train operators gear up for mainline entry after concluding access agreements · article text · 13 May 2026paraphrase, not a quotationSecondary source: no Transnet release was found; the Q1 Vulindlela report (p.10) confirms the agreements but not their date"Work is underway by the Transnet Infrastructure Manager (TRIM) and the TOCs to prepare for operations from early 2027"Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.10 · target: from early 2027not yet checked by a person
Department of Transport
The Presidency
National Treasury

Reach: 0 cross-border links, 1 blockers, 4 institutions in 1 country. Counted from the records.