Rail revitalisation and strategic corridors
Rail is a vital part of a balanced freight system – cost-effective, safe, and significantly greener than road transport, especially for bulk and long-haul goods. But years of underinvestment and limited access have weakened South Africa’s freight rail performance.
That’s why national reforms are underway to open the rail network to private operators, encourage competition, and unlock rail’s full economic and environmental potential. The Western Cape Mobility Department (WCMD) is supporting these reforms through strategic planning, policy alignment, and pilot projects that aim to re-establish rail as a competitive freight mode.
The Western Cape Freight Rail Revitalisation Framework
To support national rail reform and address provincial challenges, the WCMD developed the Western Cape Freight Rail Revitalisation Framework (WC FRRF) – a strategic initiative that aims to shift freight from road to rail while unlocking private sector participation.
This framework outlines our approach to revitalising rail corridors, attracting private investment, and guiding infrastructure development.
The WC FRRF focuses on:
- Reducing the external impacts of road freight (congestion, emissions, road damage)
- Boosting regional economic development
- Improving export competitiveness
- Supporting the national goal of moving 250 million tonnes by rail annually by 2030
- Attracting private investment in rail infrastructure and operations
Built on four pillars: Institutional, Planning & Investment, Operational & Regulatory, and Pricing & Cost, the framework provides a foundation for future rail revitalisation initiatives across the province.
The Overberg Pilot: Connecting Farms to Ports
The FRRF has directly led to the launch of the Overberg Rail Pilot Project, a flagship initiative reconnecting the agricultural hub of Caledon with Belcon and the Port of Cape Town via a 211km short-haul rail line.
This corridor is crucial for moving crops like barley, wheat, and canola. Today, most of this freight travels by road, increasing congestion and damaging rural roads. The Overberg Pilot aims to change that — shifting significant volumes back to rail while building a financially viable and investment-ready freight service.
Projected annual benefits include:
- Modal shift of 148,000–297,000 tons from road to rail
- 4,800–9,700 fewer truck trips on rural roads
- R15–R31 million in transport cost savings
- R5–R9 million in reduced externalities (accidents, emissions, road damage)
The business case includes in-depth engagement with agricultural producers, train operating companies, infrastructure partners, and investors — identifying opportunities for joint investment and sustainable service design.
Rail Freight Focus
The Overberg Pilot is more than a rail line — it's a blueprint for future freight rail revival across the province. By combining smart planning with stakeholder input, it will:
- Establish a scalable commercial and operational model
- Define clear investment and implementation pathways
- Support the national goal of multimodal, low-carbon logistics
The Western Cape is on track for a rail freight revival to make freight transport smarter, greener, and more competitive.