AN Open Access agreement between the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) and the privately owned Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) has resulted in the purchasing of three new locomotives and 150 wagons just a month after it came into effect.

BBR is a Bulawayo-headquartered private railway company incorporated and registered in Zimbabwe in 1997 and it became operational in July 1999.

Its main business, is the provision of bulk transport services, over its 350 kilometres railroad link on the North-South Corridor, between Beitbridge (at the border of Zimbabwe and South Africa) and Bulawayo into the hinterland.

Last year in November, NRZ embarked on a new initiative partnering with private players who are expected to bring in their locomotives and wagons to augment the parastatal rolling stock in a bid to enhance its capacity in the face of increasing demand for its services.

The initiative being implemented under a model known as Open Access, aims to address capacity challenges and provide an efficient bulk logistics solution to the expanding Zimbabwean industries.

BBR general manager Mr Raymond Shoniwa said they started operating last month under the agreement.

“We have been seeing opportunities arising in the region and we have been awarded an Open Access agreement by NRZ just like the rest of the railway operators in the region who have now realised that there is a need for private sector participation.