Three routes have been identified by the National Department of Transport (DoT) for possible high-speed rail development – Johannesburg-Durban, Johannesburg-Cape Town, and Johannesburg-Musina.
According to DoT director-general George Mahlalela, the necessary feasibility studies are to be put in hand, starting with the Durban-Johannesburg route. A team is to commence work in October “with the dual process of concept
development and testing the market for a period of six months. We are hoping that, at the end of this process, we will be able to determine whether there is enough appetite for this project in the market.
“The initial scoping suggests that it is possible for the project to be commercially-driven on a public-private partnership model. There are also possibilities for country-to-country cooperation.”
The high-speed rail projects would not fall under the Prasa umbrella, as this already faces a “big challenge” in upgrading commuter rail.

Original article [Railways Africa]