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South Africa's transport minister says there are no concrete plans for further high-speed rail projects for the country although, he added, R22.3-billion has been set aside for the upgrade and maintenance of roads.
Responding to a statement by the leader of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa, minister Sibusiso Ndebele said, apart from the Gautrain, "not a cent" has been spent on any additional high-speed rail project.
Holomisa said his party was concerned by the transport department’s plan to spend millions on luxurious high-speed trains linking Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Musina.
UPGRADE STILL TO BE APPROVED
Ndebele responded in a statement: "We (the transport department) wish to categorically state that, except for the Gautrain, to date not a cent has been spent on the roll-out of any high-speed rail project in South Africa."
Ndebele noted that a media statement released in February 2011 announced that Cabinet was yet to approve a train upgrade programme for South Africa.
"Cabinet approval will kick-start a process including a feasibility study on the viability of high-speed rail."
A high-speed rail system has been on the transport department’s agenda since 2005, he added.
He also said the department had set aside R22.3-billion over the next three years to upgrade and maintain secondary and rural roads.
"At least 70 000 jobs are expected to be created in 2011 alone through this programme. This is over and above provincial and municipal funding for rural road infrastructure."
Responding to a statement by the leader of the United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa, minister Sibusiso Ndebele said, apart from the Gautrain, "not a cent" has been spent on any additional high-speed rail project.
Holomisa said his party was concerned by the transport department’s plan to spend millions on luxurious high-speed trains linking Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Musina.
UPGRADE STILL TO BE APPROVED
Ndebele responded in a statement: "We (the transport department) wish to categorically state that, except for the Gautrain, to date not a cent has been spent on the roll-out of any high-speed rail project in South Africa."
Ndebele noted that a media statement released in February 2011 announced that Cabinet was yet to approve a train upgrade programme for South Africa.
"Cabinet approval will kick-start a process including a feasibility study on the viability of high-speed rail."
A high-speed rail system has been on the transport department’s agenda since 2005, he added.
He also said the department had set aside R22.3-billion over the next three years to upgrade and maintain secondary and rural roads.
"At least 70 000 jobs are expected to be created in 2011 alone through this programme. This is over and above provincial and municipal funding for rural road infrastructure."
