Transport News
How close is Cape Town to taking over commuter rail?
Commuter activist group #UniteBehind says it will launch litigation in the new year to compel the minister of transport to hasten the local control of commuter rail to municipalities or provincial governments, also known as devolution if they do not see concrete progress. #UniteBehind director Zackie Achmat told GroundUp that the case would be against the minister and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), and would cite the City of Cape Town.
Court order compels Mbalula to address bus attacks, as Intercape wins latest legal battle
A court judgment will compel Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula to “urgently” address attacks versus long-haul bus operator Intercape. The Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda on Tuesday bought that Mbalula "" immediately, and with the utmost seriousness, develop and implement an action plan to ensure the safety of long-distance coach chauffeurs and guests"", Intercape said in a declaration.
Rolls-Royce, Gulfstream confirm SAF viability for business jets
UK-based power and propulsion group Rolls-Royce and aircraft company Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has successfully conducted the first original-equipment manufacturer test flight of an ultralong-range business jet fully powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The test took place on the BR725-powered Gulfstream G650 twin-jet over Gulfstream’s headquarters in Savannah, Georgia, in the US.
Minerals Council, Transnet to establish joint structures to improve rail, ports performance
State-owned freight energy Transnet and the Minerals Council South Africa have accepted form joint collaborative structures to guarantee all possible actions are taken to stabilise and enhance the throughput of South Africa’s rail and ports systems. Transnet acknowledges the integrated nature of the mining industry as part of the logistics system and has consented to mutually concentrate on stabilising the whole system’s performance.
JDA completes Drieziek public transport facility in Orange Farm
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has completed the new cutting edge Drieziek public transportation center, in Orange Farm. The all-weather and visually pleasing Drieziek public transport center will support local neighborhoods that mainly depend on public transportation to get to workplaces, education and public facilities, primarily in the Orange Farm and Stretford area, from this facility.
IATA, South African Civil Aviation Authority to cooperate more closely on safety
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA). Under the MoU, the two parties will cooperate to strengthen aviation safety in South Africa. IATA is the representative body for the global airline industry. SACAA is the agency responsible for civil aviation safety and regulation in South Africa.
Progress being made under Operation Vulindlela
The Presidency and the National Treasury on December 14 launched a progress report on the application of economic reforms during the 3rd quarter to mark 2 years given that the establishment of Operation Vulindlela. Amongst the highlights were that six tasks, totalling 784 MW, signed job contracts under Bid Window (BW) 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
M4, N2 bridge repair contracts to be awarded soon – Sanral
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) will award the contracts for the rehab of the M4 Uthongathi bridge and N2 Umhlali River bridge soon. Building on the Umhlali River bridge is expected to take 4 months and on construction on the Uthongathi bridge two months.
Work starts on Msikaba bridge deck
Work has started on the Msikaba bridge deck, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) reports, noting that it took three trucks to transport the first steel bridge deck segment in three sections from Middelburg, in Mpumalanga, and three to five hours to offload each segment at the construction site, near Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape. The 580 m Msikaba bridge will cross the 195 m deep Msikaba river gorge and, once completed, will be the longest span cable-stayed suspension bridge in South Africa and the second longest in Africa after the 680 m Maputo-Catembe bridge, in Mozambique.
Safe storage for traffic signal controllers
The City of Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate is piloting underground chambers for the safe storage of traffic signal controllers and undisturbed power supply (UPS) systems at crossways vulnerable to vandalism and theft. Two chambers– or prefabricated underground energy manholes– have been set up at a crossway in Belhar..
Digital platform aims to improve SADC rail efficiency
A significant portion of all rail wagons in South Africa are empty when moving in between locations. In the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, only a little percentage of rail capacity is being fully used. That is a huge quantity of squandered and costly space, says South African logistics innovator Empty Trips. In October, Empty Trips began marketing empty rail wagon space for cross-border rail freight on its digital open exchange platform that was initially introduced to resolve some of the most significant inefficiencies in roadway haulage– trucks returning empty from deliveries or standing idle while waiting on backhauls.
Indonesia’s high-speed rail project completed ahead of G20 summit
Using various solutions from infrastructure engineering software developer Bentley Systems, lead contractor PT Wijaya Karya (WIKA) was able to complete the construction of an integrated high-speed railway line between Jakarta and Bandung, and accompanying infrastructure, in time for the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, held from November 15 to 16. The 142.3-km project, which was awarded to PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China (KCIC), a joint venture between four State-owned Indonesian companies and construction company China Railway International, is expected to reduce congestion between the two cities and foster a culture of public transportation in Indonesia.
Digital engineering key to award-winning level crossing removal project
Many Australian construction companies are actively utilizing individuals, particularly those who have a digital background, to address the country’s abilities lack, especially in significant facilities jobs, including the elimination of dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne, says sustainable infrastructure solutions developer Acciona southern area digital engineering manager Daniel Easter. Acciona won leading honours in the Construction category at the Bentley Systems Year in Infrastructure Going Digital Awards in London, in the UK, last month.
African airlines still face significant challenges post-pandemic, says IATA
Airlines in Africa faced four major obstacle locations– connection, market gain access to and regulatory reform; taxes, charges and increasing costs; environmental sustainability; and security. This was the primary style of the speech by International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regional VP for Africa Kamil Alawadhi to the 2022 General Assembly of the African Airlines Association, in Dakar, Senegal, on Monday. As background, he mentioned that IATA expected African airlines to make total losses of $638-million this year, while air traveler need would be available in at 32.3%, and air guest capability at 31.3%, below the particular figures for 2019. IATA– the international agent body for the airline company industry– foresaw these losses decreasing to $213-million next year, this improvement being pushed by a 27.4% boost in traveler traffic and a 21.9% enhancement in capability.
TNPA issues RFP for Durban LPG terminal operator
State-owned Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a suitable terminal operator to finance, refurbish, operate, maintain and transfer a liquid bulk terminal specialising in liquified petroleum gas (LPG) for a 25-year concession at the Port of Durban. "Issuing the RFP will assist TNPA to respond to potential investors in the LPG industry," it says.
Leading US carrier United announces huge order for Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft
Major United States provider United Airlines, among just 2 American operators to straight link the US with South Africa, announced on Tuesday the greatest ever buy put by a United States airline for wide-body airliners. The carrier has actually positioned firm orders for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliner new-generation airliners, and has actually taken alternatives for another 100. United already uses the 787-9 variation of the type on its services from Newark/New York to both Johannesburg and Cape Town, in addition to on its service between Washington DC and Cape Town. In overall, the airline company apparently presently operates 66 of the Dreamliners.
Cargo Compass SA, and its robotic cleaner, move into their new headquarters
Logistics company Cargo Compass South Africa (SA) has actually moved into its brand-new head office in Jet Park, Boksburg. The 30 000 m2 facility combines the company’s operations in Gauteng under one roofing after it formerly operated out of several various properties.
Vehicle availability, tourism seen improving in 2023
Zeda will invest in the renewal of its fleet next year, with the group expecting the supply of new vehicles to stabilise in 2023, says CEO Ramasela Ganda. Zeda is a mobility specialist that incorporates the Avis and Budget brands. It is active in the vehicle leasing and rental sectors, and is set to list on the JSE on December 13, following its unbundling from Barloworld.
Efficient storage for components
Materials managing systems designer Conceptainer states its Thrift recyclable bulk collapsible bins, which weigh only 28 kg when empty, are an effective system for the storage and transport of automobile parts. The business adds that this includes plastic moulded parts and seat parts, along with hood and boot linings.
IATA reports great surge in sustainable aviation fuel production, but incentives still needed
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the representative body of the global airline industry, has actually estimated that the around the world production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) this year would be 200% higher than it was in 2015. While, in 2021, total global SAF production came to 100-million litres, IATA expected it to reach a minimum of 300-million litres this year. The association noted that some other, more optimistic, quotes were putting the overall SAF production figure …