Prasa: Delivering the national strategic plan.

Abstract

Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 8-11 July 2013 "Transport and Sustainable Infrastructure", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has recently completed the update and reissue of its National Strategic Plan. The Plan presents a transformational, integrated and holistic approach to developing rail and long-distance bus services in South Africa which would provide an improved, integrated and effective service to the travelling public over the next forty years. It was developed through significant stakeholder-engagement and was designed to support stakeholders’ development objectives. Innovative approaches to timetabling services which would relieve crowding and reduce journey times are adopted, so as to maximise the benefits from forthcoming major PRASA investment. Innovative interventions were developed, including light rail, to regenerate a city centre and new major rail corridors. The Plan lists specific priorities for change and investment along each of the nation’s rail corridors, enabling the achievement of a future strategic vision for PRASA. From the earliest stages of the development of the Plan, there has been a strong focus on identifying organisational measures which would facilitate its delivery. This paper outlines the approach taken, and the resulting main issues, outcomes and priorities of the Plan.