Minister Of Transport’s Strategy To Move From Road To Rail

The Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA) have welcomed the announcement by the Minister of Transport to move the transportation of goods from road to rail. Having realised the limited use of road transport, we have been engaging the department for several years as part of the Task Team, profiling practical solutions for this dilemma.

Fact: Our road death toll is excessive

Fact: Our road infrastructure is overloaded with too many trucks. We must reduce road carnage and infrastructure damage for the economy to grow as there is no extra capacity to handle any increase in road volumes.

Fact: The trucking industry is not regulated which means anyone can buy a truck and operate a contract without proper understanding and attitude to road safety above profit.

TASA has noted the unsustainability of the increasing truck volumes over the long distances to ports and is embracing a solution by using RailRunner bi-modal technology to move freight to rail for the long distance, thus relieving pressure on national road infrastructure and limiting driver fatigue/ error and thereby accidents and deaths, as well as providing social benefits for drivers being localised.

Whilst it may be necessary to upgrade certain rail infrastructure and security on the rail corridors, the shift from road to rail for long distance haul will be relatively easy and cost effective using the RailRunner method. Simple terminals near source to build trains using the truck trailers and unique rail bogies, then hook and haul by either Transnet or independent locomotives to destination terminal, with a final delivery from end terminal to customers. This will also reduce carbon emissions, and, with the spiralling price of fuel, will reduce the supply chain cost of goods delivered.

The regulation of the trucking industry is overdue and needs to be implemented as soon as possible. Other transporters, such as buses and taxis are subject to regulation and permits and so should freight truckers. The possibility of using the methods of regulation currently employed for bus and taxi services are being proposed for adaptation in this regard. This can assist with regulation of local and foreign drivers, training of drivers, specification of routes and easier monitoring and compliance with road safety regulations.

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Another Step Forward For The Migration Of Cargo Volumes From Road To Rail

Alrode, Gauteng.

The Trucking Association of South Africa (TASA) has taken a shareholding position in Technorail, the level 1 BBBEE shareholder of RailRunner South Africa (RailRunner).

In so doing, TASA joins other Technorail BBBEE shareholders, Smartvest and Menston Industries. TASA was formed to transform the logistics industry, initially through being the voice of the emerging trucking industry; including distressed truckers and woman owners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

RailRunner’s innovative technology, products and services provide sustainable integrated end-to-end road and rail intermodal freight transport solutions, thereby lowering logistics costs by up to 20% and reducing transport emissions of CO2 by 40%.

“Contrary to perceptions, the movement of freight from road to rail is not an insurmountable challenge for the road freight industry.” said TASA President Mary Phadi, “The collaboration between TASA and RailRunner demonstrates that the road freight industry is well positioned to take advantage of this shift to expand services at lower costs and increase trucking revenues and profitability”.

“The cooperation between TASA and RailRunner provides a route to ensure that beneficial cargo owners will enjoy the same strong relationships with their logistics providers who will continue to provide their door-to-door service quality through first and last mile transport”, commented Mike Daniel, CEO of RailRunner South Africa. “Truckers know how to provide safe and reliable service across all industrial sectors, and this service level will be enhanced with lower cost and decarbonization via integration with intermodal transport”.

Both TASA and RailRunner have embraced the synergy to make best use of available rail resources whilst relieving the pressure on the crumbling long distance road infrastructure, traffic congestion and air pollution.

Even prior to the announcement of the Transnet strategy of open access, RailRunner and Transnet had entered into a twenty (20) year collaborative agreement for hook and haul on the main logistics corridors.

Inland dry ports/terminals to accommodate the RailRunner road trailer and train assembly operations are simple terminals which do not require expensive handling systems, and therefore can be established at strategic locations to service existing and new, previously unserved, markets.

These terminals (Terminal AnywhereTM) may be privately owned by developers and other interested investors. RailRunner Service Companies (RSC’s) together with TASA drivers/owners, will form the nucleus of a reformed intermodal road and rail transport system, ideally suited to immediately address South Africa’s infrastructure challenges.

For more information, visit www.truckers-association.co.za

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RailRunner South Africa Interviewed by Railways Africa Magazine

Phillippa Dean, Publisher of Railways Africa, interviewed Mike Daniel and Charles Foskett to explore the beneficial impact of RailRunner on logistics in Africa.  A link to an audio replay of this in-depth conversation is below.

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Railways Africa interviews Transnet Freight Rail and RailRunner SA

Click on the image below to read a PDF of the article.

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RailRunner Signs 20 Year Agreement with Transnet For South African Market

RailRunner’s patented bimodal technology to be used on national rail network

WALTHAM, Mass., Sept. 20, 2016 – RailRunner NA, Inc., a global innovator in cargo rail technology, today announced that its RailRunner South Africa unit has signed a 20-year agreement with Transnet Ltd, South Africa’s state-owned transport company, to put RailRunner’s high-density bi-modal trailers into service on the Cape Corridor and other parts of Transnet’s 20,000-km rail system. RailRunner values the contract at US$400 million in service revenues, and equipment sales by licensed third parties.

The first use of RailRunner technology will be on the 1,400-km Cape Town to Gauteng line, targeted for launch in 2018.

Transnet and RailRunner (through its South African subsidiary RailRunner SA) are forming a joint venture to implement the new technology, providing a door-to-door transportation system spanning road and rail. Transnet has authorized another local company, a subsidiary of RailRunner South Africa trading as RNS, to provide local network services through Transnet.

RailRunner’s unique trailer can carry standard shipping containers on rail lines or the highway, shifting quickly and easily from one to the other without the need for expensive cranes and the other equipment in a traditional intermodal hub. As importantly, the design of the RailRunner trailer packs the containers closer together, allowing for 20 to 40 percent more cargo on a given length of railcars. Yet the weight of the RailRunner trailer is less than a traditional flatcar, making for lower energy costs and carbon emissions.

The move by Transnet is part of the South African Government long-term Market Development Strategy (or MDS) to shift traffic from South Africa’s congested highways to more efficient rails.

“RailRunner technology is a perfect match for the challenges – and opportunities – Transnet faces in South Africa,” said Charles Foskett, CEO of RailRunner. “This will enable Transnet to offer a complete end-to-end transport solution for its customers, while reducing costs, harmful emissions, and highway traffic. RailRunner is excited to be a partner with Transnet, a world leader in rail freight transport.”

RailRunner has developed bimodal technology that allows a patented RailRunner trailer to run over the road as well as rail. The RailRunner trailers and bogies (the specialized sets of wheel that allow the trailers to operate on rails) are used to form a bimodal block train which can be connected to a standard locomotive for the terminal-to-terminal transport leg. RailRunner specialises in design, manufacture and supply of bimodal bogies and trailers. RailRunner trains can transport domestic trailer systems or international sea containers. Standardized containers handled by the RailRunner system can be interchanged between all modes of traditional intermodal transport: road, rail, and ship. The company is privately held and based in Waltham, MA.

Transnet is the largest freight logistics company in South Africa, spanning rails, pipelines, and port operations. The company reported revenues of R62.2 billion (US$4.34 billion) for the year ending March 31, 2016.

# # # #

For further RailRunner press information contact:

Mark Metzger
Metzger Communications
+1-781-254-4186
mmetzger@metzgerco.com

For further Transnet press information contact:

Sandile Similane
(27) 11-544-9584
(27) 83-703-4179
sandile.similane@transnet.net

Download a PDF of this Press Release.

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Transnet Brings Bimodal Freight Solutions Through RailRunner South Africa Partnership

15 September 2016

Transnet is excited to announce collaboration with RailRunner South Africa (RRSA). Transnet and RRSA have signed an agreement on a bimodal rail service that will create an end-to-end supply chain solution.

This revolutionary technology will be implemented in Africa for the first time on the Transnet rail network operated by Transnet Freight Rail. A bimodal service will offer customers a complete logistics solution on road and rail. This collaboration puts Transnet at the forefront of ground-breaking technology in the South African and African Rail industries.

Transnet and RRSA intend to form a joint venture whose sole objective is to explore, develop, and execute an integrated rail/road door-to-door solution for the African market. This joint venture will be in the form of a registered entity, in which each of the parties will hold a 50% shareholding. The venture will be constituted in a manner that enables both parties to participate in the making of strategic and day-to-day decisions with regard to all of the joint venture’s business.

The Cape (Cape to Gauteng) Corridor has been identified as a pilot route due to the flexibility and need for end-to-end solutions that this domestic market requires. This corridor integrates the long distance rail with the shorter first and last mile road legs that deliver cargo directly to a customer’s doorstep.

In addition, a privately owned operating company trading as “RNS” will also explore, develop, and execute an integrated road to rail door to door solution for the African market. The shareholding of this entity will be advised once negotiations relating to this shareholding have been completed. RNS and Transnet’s joint venture will compete in the market on an equal footing.

A number of local manufacturing companies, including Transnet Engineering, have been pre-qualified to manufacture the RailRunner bimodal units, and requests for quotations will be issued later this month.

In line with Transnet’s Market Demand Strategy (MDS) this bimodal solution will realise Transnet’s strategy to get rail friendly traffic off the road and onto rail.

The RailRunner® technology provides a unique logistics solution to South Africa’s freight transportation infrastructure and gives the benefits of lower shipping costs for container, trailer, and food transporters. This revolutionary system also has reduced energy consumption which will ultimately reduce the carbon footprint of freight transportation.

This is not only a breakthrough for Transnet and the rail industry, but also for South Africa’s domestic freight industry. This bimodal logistics solution will ultimately enhance the economic competiveness and growth of freight rail transport in South Africa, potentially increase Transnet’s market share within the domestic freight environment and further create job opportunities.

RailRunner uses bimodal technology that allows a RailRunner bespoke designed trailer to run over the road as well as rail. The RailRunner trailers and bogies are used to form a bimodal block train which can be connected to a standard locomotive for the terminal to terminal transport leg. RailRunner specialises in design, manufacture and supply of both bogies and bespoke trailers. The standardised containers handled by the RailRunner system can be interchanged between all modes of traditional intermodal transport, i.e. road, rail, and RoRo on ship.

-End-

Issued by Transnet Freight Rail

For further information contact:

Sandile Simelane
Spokesperson: Transnet Freight Rail
Tel: 011- 544 9584
Cell: 083 703 4179

For further information from RailRunner contact:

Mike Daniel
CEO RailRunner South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
Tel: 011-462 0577
Cell: 082 888 4422

Download a PDF of this Press Release.

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IANA Intermodal Expo

IANA Intermodal Expo
Houston, TX
Nov 17 – 19, 2013
Visit us at Booth 533

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Railway Interchange 2013

Railway Interchange 2013
Indianapolis, IN
Sep 29 – Oct 1, 2013
Attending only

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Transport Logistic 2013

Transport Logistic 2013
Munich, Germany
June 4 – 7th, 2013
Attending only

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RailRunner Moves Senior Exec to Europe

Graaff to Oversee Europe Introduction

RailRunner COO Wolfgang Graaff is transferring to Europe to directly manage the homologation and certification of RailRunner products for the European market

WALTHAM, MA, February 19, 2013 – RailRunner, N.A., Inc., the developer of innovative rail products and services providing low-cost intermodal transportation solutions to shippers today announced changes in its management emphasizing its commitment to strengthen its European operations and more effectively manage homologation and certification of RailRunner products for the European market.

Longtime Vice President and Chief Operating and Technology Officer of RailRunner, Wolfgang Graaff will return to Germany in March 2013 and assume new European responsibilities for the company. From 1983 to 1995 Graaff was CEO of Graaff GmbH, a world-renowned manufacturer of railcars, trailers and ISO containers as well as refrigerated transport equipment. He will continue his technology leadership at RailRunner as corporate Chief Engineer and will continue to advise Management and the Board on global strategy as the Company expands its international business.

“Wolfgang has brought RailRunner through major product upgrades, into commercial manufacturing and through FRA approval to operate on three Class I rail networks and other rail routes in North America” said Charles Foskett, RailRunner CEO. “RailRunner offers a uniquely high-value proposition in international markets, and Wolfgang’s direct involvement in our market entry will insure RailRunner’s efficient progress through local certification protocols and a successful commercial rollout.”

RailRunner’s unique Terminal Anywhere™ system enables shippers to combine the economics of rail with the flexibility of trucking, while linking directly into the international containerized shipping network.

By allowing trailers and containers to be predominantly carried by more energy efficient rail, RailRunner’s technology can significantly mitigate the impact of high fuel cost and their volatility in the transportation formula while at the same time, providing more direct, cost-effective access to the intermodal and containerized transport network, opening new markets for shippers and rail carriers.

RailRunner intermodal trains are assembled directly from the trailer or container carrying RailRunner highway chassis, using compact specialized rail vehicles called “bogies.” The trailer or chassis and container is coupled to the bogie. The highway vehicle wheels are raised pneumatically, allowing track clearance, thus transforming the road vehicle to a rail vehicle in a matter of minutes. Train assembly requires no lifting of the trailer or shipping container, and is fast, simple and cost-efficient, comparing favorably with container unit loading times of traditional intermodal.

This advanced RailRunner system requires far less capital equipment and cost for building and operating terminals, therefore RailRunner train assembly points can be located in many places where trucking or container volumes do not support the investment in a traditional intermodal site. Bringing the Terminal Anywhere closer to the shipper reduces the distance cargo has to travel by truck, while retaining the flexibility of trucking in the transportation network.

RailRunner’s “Road-Ready” intermodal means low-cost shipping for businesses and communities, with lower carbon emissions for every ton of cargo moved.

About RailRunner

RailRunner (www.railrunner.com) is an innovative rail products and services company bringing a new Road-Ready intermodal rail product to shippers worldwide. RailRunner’s worldwide patented container-carrying bi-modal system is designed to quickly; simply and efficiently shift chassis and container to and from highway to rail and back. With RailRunner’s low-investment Terminal Anywhere™ technology, no flatcars, pocket or well cars, huge cranes, high-value lift equipment or expensive terminal infrastructure are involved. Road-Ready trailers or chassis extend trucking or container services to markets and locations not previously reachable, improving shipping efficiency, lowering fuel cost, and reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, thus supporting environmental goals of transferring freight transport from road to more environmental-friendly rail. The company is privately held and based in Waltham, MA.

For further RailRunner press information contact:

Mark Metzger
Metzger Communications
+1-781-254-4186
mmetzger@metzgerco.com

Download a PDF of this Press Release.

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