The South African government intends to spend just over R34 billion on the development of the Moloto rail corridor.

Initial estimates based on the findings of the feasibility study indicate that R20 billion will be allocated toward a rapid rail service, R10 billion on rolling stock and another R4,5 billion to improve associated road infrastructure.

Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters signed the project over to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) late last week.

Prasa will develop the rail services, while the Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga government oversee the conversion of Moloto Road into a national road – to be managed by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). Municipalities are to attend to the feeder roads.

The Moloto rail development corridor has been a long time in the making. It was initiated in 2004 following the government of Mpumalanga launching a process to improve public transport offered to commuters who travel to Pretoria daily. A feasibility study was conducted in 2006 and 2007 which concluded that the project was indeed feasible.

Although cabinet recognised the legitimate need of the commuters in the region for an improved transport service, government was not in a position to implement it due to financial constraints attributable to the global economic crisis at the time.

Questions also remained from a previous feasibility study on whether all possible options were properly investigated and considered. This led to a new feasibility study currently being conducted which will be completed by the end of this month.