President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed a major step towards bringing high-speed trains to South Africa.
Speaking at the inaugural National Transport Conference in Johannesburg on Monday, 16 March, Ramaphosa announced that the government has launched a new Request for Information (RFI) to gauge private-sector appetite for high-speed rail.
The Vision
“Transport is vital to our economy and our people. When our transport arteries are blocked or inefficient, growth stalls, costs rise, and opportunity diminishes. When they flow freely, the country thrives.”
Ramaphosa stressed that modernising transport and logistics is about unlocking opportunity, restoring competitiveness, reducing inequality, and enabling inclusive growth.
The Problem
He criticised current long-distance travel times between major cities as no longer acceptable in a modern economy.
“In my book, it should no longer take five to six hours to travel from eThekwini or Durban to Johannesburg.”
The Progress
Ramaphosa pointed to progress already made in rebuilding commuter rail through the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) .
The agency has revived 37 of its 40 priority passenger rail corridors and introduced more than 300 locally manufactured train sets.
“We are targeting 116 million passenger journeys this financial year, on our way to 600 million trips by 2029.”
The Next Step
Alongside rebuilding commuter rail, the government is looking to expand regional and long-distance rail infrastructure through partnerships with private investors.
“We have launched a new Request for Information to attract private investment in rapid regional rail, rolling stock and depot modernisation.”
The RFI is intended to test private-sector appetite and gather technical input before moving to the next stage.
Following this engagement phase, authorities plan to proceed with a formal procurement process.
“We are preparing to send out a request for proposals, which will introduce a new era of long-distance rail travel in South Africa at a faster pace.”
The History
High-speed rail in South Africa has a long history of ambitious proposals that have struggled to move beyond planning stages:
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2010: First raised under former transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele
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2019: Ramaphosa envisioned bullet trains from Johannesburg to Musina, and connections to Buffalo City and eThekwini
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2022: Transport minister Fikile Mbalula gazetted a National Rail Policy White Paper identifying high-speed rail corridors as a key objective
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2023: Cabinet approved the policy in November
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2024: Ramaphosa confirmed government would prioritise feasibility studies
The Bottom Line
“High-speed trains are happening in many parts of the world,” Ramaphosa said. “Our people want it, and progress is now being made.”
The RFI is the first concrete step. Private-sector interest will determine whether this ambitious vision finally becomes realityor remains another bullet train that never leaves the station.
