Railway leaders gather to discuss regulatory reform
The Railway Safety Regulator aims to modernise railway safety standards by 2027.
Under the theme: Safety in motion: Raising the standards, the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) hosted a Rail Safety Industry Workshop on November 4 at The Venue in Melrose Arch.
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The workshop united rail sector leaders, who discussed regulatory reform, industry readiness, and global best practices, using the Railway Safety Act No 30 of 2024 as a driver for safer, smarter, and more accountable rail operations.
The act’s role includes:
- To provide for the regulation of railway safety in the republic,
- To provide for the continued existence of the RSR, and
- To provide for the board and governance structures of the RSR.
RSR’s chief executive officer Brian Monakali explained: “Ultimately, the RSR’s intent is to move the industry from compliance to excellence, creating a rail environment where safety is not only a regulatory requirement, but a shared industry value.”
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The impact on operators includes: Clearer safety standards, easier compliance, and reduced risk.
Drafts will be available for public comment within 12 months, with final approval for publication expected by March 31, 2027.
Department of Transport Deputy Director-General Ngwako Makaepea explained that the process commenced with the department conducting a railway safety regulatory gap analysis, in line with the National Railway Safety Regulator Act. “The study highlighted legislative gaps, such as lack of clarity on the role of the various players within the rail safety environment, duplication between the powers of the CEO and the board, RSR funding challenges, and an absence of framework regulating licensing of safety critical grade employees.”
The RSR is committed to ensuring smooth adoption of the new standards through comprehensive training and support, which includes workshops and technical training for operators and RSR teams, and guidance bulletins and implementation notices for each revised standard.
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