DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO.: 2230
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 13 November 2009
2230. Mr J Schmidt (DA) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(a) What is the total number of kilometers covered by railway lines in each
province in terms of route distance (i) in general and (ii) that has been
electrified and (b) how much extra distance was covered (i) in the (aa)
2005-06, (bb) 2006-07, (cc) 2007-08 and (dd) 2008-09 financial years and
(ii) during the period 1 April 2009 up to the latest specified date for
which information is available? NW2939E
REPLY
a) The rail network is managed as a national resource by classification
based on freight volumes, axle loading and strategic priorities.
Operational and maintenance plans are derived from these parameters and
have no bearing on provincial boundaries. Rail network information based
on provincial boundaries is therefore not available. The information
requested is provided for the entire network:
(a)(i) The total route kilometers are 20,079 kilometers.
(a)(ii) The total route kilometers that have been electrified are 8581
kilometers.
(b) The track and electrification route kilometers have not changed
significantly over the period 2005 to 2009.
(b)(i)(aa) 2005/06 â Zero Kilometers
(bb) 2006/07 â Zero Kilometers
(cc) 2007/08 â Zero Kilometers
(dd) 2008/09 â Zero Kilometers
(b)(ii) During the period 1 April 2009 up to November 2009 â Zero
Kilometers.