Hi-tech freight centre unveiled
Speaking at the launch of the centre yesterday, Erwin said the electronically run facility, which was initiated by Transnet Freight Rail, a Transnet division, indicated that rail freight was “moving towards efficient times”.
The centre, in Johannesburg, would bring together all operational and maintenance decision makers under one roof.
With its cutting-edge technology, the integrated centre would flash alerts whenever power failures or cable thefts occurred, and keep track of every train in real time.
David King, a logistics researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, said the challenge facing the company was not only investment infrastructure. “There has to be improvement in the quality of service, especially on-time delivery and customer relationship.”
Transnet Freight Rail seems determined to put efficiency back on track. It plans to invest R35bn over the next five years in an attempt to revamp its rail infrastructure, locomotives and wagons.
Describing the centre as “another milestone”, Transnet CEO Maria Ramos said the division was poised to “deliver improved service”.
Transnet Freight Rail CEO Siyabonga Gama shared her view, saying the new centre would help the unit respond to “customer needs”.
Loading ...