SAVINGS OF up to US$600 on rail rates between Johannesburg and East Africa are attracting a growing volume of cargo, according to Andre Fourie, managing director of Trans Africa Logistics, which markets the fortnightly service.
The train, which is run by Spoornet and Tanzanian rail operators Transafrica Rail Corporation, hauls goods between Johannesburg and Kampala, Uganda via the Tanzanian transfer terminal of Kidatu.
We've reduced rates by 15% to Tanzania and Kampala, says Fourie.
Rates to Kampala, for example, have gone down from US$4200 to US$3600, while the rate to Isaka has dropped from US$3100 to US$2850.
With these significant savings, the rail alternative is even more attractive, says Fourie.
In the two years since the service was launched, we have not had a single incident of theft and the trains have run according to schedule. In addition, documentation is far simpler than other modes and we can clear at Kidatu in a day compared to delays that sometimes run to two weeks.
The reduced rates, which were introduced in October, do not apply to Dar es Salaam and are subject to any increase put forward by SARA.
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