Eleven private Train Operating Companies have been granted conditional access to Transnet’s rail network. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced in Pretoria, following a process to invite third-party Train Operating Companies onto the Transnet rail network.

Transnet moves 160 million tonnes of commodities on rail per annum.

Minister Creecy says expectations are for the private players to help the entity reach the government’s target of increasing freight moved by rail to 250 million tons per annum by 2029.

[WATCH]
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has approved 11 private train operators to partner with Transnet in moving commodities on South Africa’s rail network. pic.twitter.com/1QLy6VeK98

— SABC News (@SABCNews) August 22, 2025

This will supplement Transnet Freight Rail’s (TFR’s) forecasted volumes and contribute to Government’s target of increasing freight moved by rail to 250m tons per annum by 2029. pic.twitter.com/U19lf3Byk1

— Department of Transport (@Dotransport) August 22, 2025

“Of the 25 operating companies that applied, eleven have met the necessary requirements and will proceed to the next stage of negotiations and contracting. The initial allocations, on a total of 41 routes and six corridors, are as follows: The North Corridor, there will be six new entrants on 15 routes for transportation of coal and chrome,” Creecy says.

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