The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) have had to come out and set the record straight following various queries regarding the affordability of their R40bn rolling stock renewal programme.

It has been said that PRASA had been refused a requested bailout from the national treasury.

According to Prasa spokesperson Moffat Mofokeng , he says it is important that no misinformation be spread in the public domain about a project of “great significance in the renewal of our fleet”.

PRASA stated that there has been speculation regarding the affordability of its fleet renewal programme with most of the speculation aimed at the R40bn affordability limit the treasury has offered Prasa.

According to Prasa, certain people have misunderstood the process in financing the programme. They have interpreted the R40bn limit to mean that Prasa has started the renewal programme without the adequate funds to finance it.