1. (a) The Department of Transport has not entered into such discussions ;
(b) PRASA have met with the KwaZulu-Natal Member of the Executive Council responsible for Transport and the Portfolio Committee on Transport Oversight to provide an update on programmes and initiatives at PRASA. One of the areas covered during these meetings was PRASA’s future rail planning, including the conceptual planning study for the Northern Rail Linkages (inclusive of King Shaka International Airport).
(i) The dates on which meetings occured were as follows :
KZN MEC for Transport - August 2016
Portfolio Committee – October 2016 and February 2017
(ii) Provincial government
2. (a) A conceptual planning study has been undertaken on potential future rail linkages serving the northern areas, including King Shaka International Airport.
(b) The north coast line, owned by Transnet, is the closest rail line with Tongaat and Nyaninga stations nearest to King Shaka International Airport. In terms of approximate straight line distance between King Shaka International Airport and these stations, the distance is 3km and 5km for Nyaninga and Tongaat stations respectively.
(c) Prices vary in terms of the terrain and engineering solution required. Tunneling and viaduct will be more expensive than at-grade construction. The approximate average cost per kilometre for new line is between R100m – R300m.
3. The conceptual planning study as alluded to above, identified future rail linkages to the northern areas that may be viable in the medium – longer term. It is therefore included as part of PRASA’s longer term rail network expansion plans. Furthermore, the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs has advertised a tender for the appointment of a service provider to determine the optimal public transport solution link for the King Shaka International Airport. The DoT and PRASA will assume a leadership role should rail be found the optimal solution.