Durban - Trucking companies say that the proposed movement of goods from road to rail would have a negative impact on their businesses and the economy as a whole.
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula on Saturday repeated the government’s plan to move goods transport from roads to rail.
He said the government was aiming for movement of 10% of freight currently transported by road to rail. The minister was speaking at the funeral service for 14 of the 20 victims who died in the horror crash in Pongola on September 16.
This follows the minister’s announcement last Thursday that it would take the government at least five years for the plan to be implemented.
Chris Moodley, director of freight company KZN Customs Clearing and Forwarding, said the government’s plan to move freight from road to rail would undoubtedly affect the trucking business.
“It is very concerning as there are thousands of truck drivers and they will all be impacted. From my side I can’t see how this will be possible as rail infrastructure has also not been rebuilt or repaired and reconstructed for this type of transition.
“We also have to bear in mind that our rail infrastructure is at the mercy of vandals, and that speaks for itself.
“What was once a key infrastructure for our transport industry is now nothing but a memory, there simply aren’t enough police to manage the situation.
“Where were they when the railway offices and stations were looted and even the kitchen sinks were stolen?”
Moodley said that as much as the minister of transport talked about the high number of truck accidents, more attention should be paid to what types of trucks were involved in the crashes.
He claimed that the majority were caused by trucks with side tippers which are used in the transport of coal.
Mark Chettiar from another logistics company questioned the move.
“The fact is we need all forms of freight transport, including air, road and rail to be functioning effectively for the economy to function well.
“You can’t just take away road freight. What about the livelihoods of truck drivers if there is no work?
“Also the government doesn’t realise that this will have a major impact on the transportation of goods as we know our rail system is not in the best of conditions.”
Chettiar said another reason there were so many trucks on the roads was the major increase in the export of coal from South Africa.
“The increase in the export of coal in South Africa is being brought upon by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. That is why we are seeing so many side tipper trucks on the road.
“We are not saying that freight transport must be exclusive to road and trucks, we understand that there should be cargo that is being moved by rail.
“We need a resolution where we all can function together and roads are safer and functioning well so that all road users can feel safer.”