Ramaphosa Signs Rail Safety Bill Into Law, Strengthening South Africa's Railway Regulations

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday signed the Rail Safety Bill into law, marking the beginning of stronger regulations and safety standards for South Africa's railway sector.

The new law highlights the importance of safe railway operations to protect lives, and the environment, and to promote rail as an efficient transportation option. According to the Presidency, the law ensures the regulation of railway safety and the continued operation of the Railway Safety Regulator.

"The law introduces railway safety permits as well as a national railway safety information and monitoring system," the presidency said, SA News reported. "The law recognizes that safe railway operations promote the use of rail as an efficient mode of transportation and that the effective provision of railway safety demands uniform policy, norms and standards."

The Rail Safety Bill signed by the president replaces the National Railway Safety Regulator Act of 2002, which was last updated in 2009. The new law reflects major changes in the railway sector, including South Africa's investment in rolling stock and the introduction of the first standard gauge railway system.

The presidency noted that this is an important step for enhancing regional integration. The Rail Safety Bill includes several important provisions.

The bill establishes a national system for monitoring and sharing railway safety information, ensuring better oversight and data management across the sector. The bill also introduces railway safety permits, which will help regulate and ensure safety standards are met by operators.

It aims to create consistent policies, norms, and standards for railway safety, ensuring uniformity across the sector. Furthermore, the bill seeks to align South Africa's railway safety regulations with those of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), promoting regional cooperation and standardization.

The presidency highlighted that by prioritizing these uniform policies and standards, the Rail Safety Bill positions railways as a key part of South Africa's transportation system while addressing the need for modernization and regional integration.

In June, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) revealed that 31 out of 40 rail routes are now operational after extensive theft and vandalism severely damaged the country's rail network during the COVID-19 lockdown.