Hishaan Emeran, Chief Executive Officer of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), has emphasized the critical need for sustained investment in the rail infrastructure across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Speaking in Cape Town on Thursday during his acceptance speech as the newly elected President of the Southern African Railways Association (SARA), Emeran highlighted the importance of modernizing rail systems to enhance efficiency and shift traffic from congested roads.
“The introduction of modern rolling stock will boost efficiencies and help divert traffic from the roads. We need to collaborate to solve shared challenges because rail transport provides both an efficient and the most affordable mode of transport for passengers and goods,” Emeran stated.
As the new President of SARA, an organization committed to promoting and enhancing rail transport services across the SADC region, Emeran pledged to familiarize himself with the rail conditions in member countries. His goal is to address the sector’s challenges through a series of visits and consultations.
Acknowledging the existing issues, Emeran noted, “The efficiencies of our rail networks have been compromised by inadequate, in some cases obsolete, and poorly maintained rail infrastructure and rolling stock.” He stressed that overcoming these hurdles is essential for the region’s economic advancement.
Emeran pointed out that the SADC region is pivotal in promoting regional trade and achieving sustainable economic growth. “We are at a critical point in our region’s history, at the intersection of opportunity and preparedness. As SARA, we have to be ready to play our role in supporting the sustainable social and economic growth of our region by delivering robust rail services,” he asserted.
His vision for SARA involves a collective commitment to making the railway industry the preferred means of transportation for goods, services, and people, thus driving the region towards a more connected and economically vibrant future.