Article: Rail modernisation long overdue: Minister

[jes]

The modernisation and upgrade of South Africa's long-distance passenger and freight infrastructure is an urgent matter that cannot be delayed any longer, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele said on Tuesday.

You can view the page at http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/content.php/2239-Rail-modernisation-long-overdue-Minister

 

[w1z4rd]

Tell me about it. Wanted to go for a train trip the other day on the passenger service (its pretty neat), and found out they took East London off the grid So now I have to go to PE, if I want to use the train.

Used to be such a cool way to travel. Sleep easy on it, nice dining cart, great parties

 

[MegasXLR]

Now that there are little leftovers from the old system we have to rebuild everything. What will they use for rails, steel? Certain members of our society cannot wait, more steel to collect for scrap sales.

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

Yes. Let them burn modern trains. Sure they'll burn much better.

 

[LazyLion]

And when they are finished upgrading that? Are they going to Toll the Rails as well?

 

[Nanfeishen]

Amazing , let a perfect working system fall into ruin, then bleet about how it needs to be upgraded at some ludicrious cost.
Only about half of S.A.s rail network is being utilised, with about 35% seeing no if any usage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_South_Africa
And it will be interesting to see if we reatain the narrow gauge system we have , or if we go to the added expence of changing to standard gauge lines.

 

[Nanfeishen]

And when they are finished upgrading that? Are they going to Toll the Rails as well?

No , that cost will be worked into the price of tickets, to further screw over the public for more money.

 

[Merlin]

I thought 'we' agreed to the building of a huge amount of new rail not so long ago, in exchange for mineral access? - Hurro!

 

[ZeroAlpha]

Neglect a working system -> when its critically screwed get taxpayers to pay for it to get fixed -> have some of your mates land rebuilding contracts -> Profit!
Then start the entire process over in a few years.