The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) will host the inaugural National Rail Industry Awards on October 24, at the Houghton Hotel, in Johannesburg, and has opened nominations for the awards, which will close on August 31.

The event will celebrate outstanding achievements and individuals who have made tremendous contributions to the rail industry, it said.

The Exceptional Asset Management category is open to railway operators who have demonstrated supremacy in the upkeep and administration of infrastructure assets or train rolling stock.

Similarly, the Rail Logistics Supply Chain Excellence category is open to companies actively involved in rail logistics, and supply chain and may include rail logistics stakeholders and service providers, rail-relevant original-equipment manufacturers, and advocacy groups in South Africa.

The Pioneering Applied Rail Research category recognises outstanding contributions to the field of rail research, highlighting individuals or teams that have significantly advanced the industry through continuous/industry-relevant research.

The Excellence in Training category is open to any training service providers and operator departments involved in rail training in South Africa, while the Transformation in Rail category is open to rail entities within South Africa which have developed and implemented transformation strategies within their organisation.

Further, the Security Excellence Award will honour effective security projects, security promotion, and security awareness in the South African rail industry. The Environmental Sustainability Leaders in Rail award recognises exceptional stewardship, and network resilience to climate change.

The Lifetime Achievement award is for the most exceptional professional contribution in the rail sector. This category recognises an individual who has dedicated their career to the advancement of South African railways.

The Best Southern African Development Community Region Initiative award is for the most exceptional railway initiative in the Southern African Development Community region.

There is also a category for Train Operator of the Year for the passenger or freight train operator in South Africa that exhibits exceptional business practices and delivers exceptional customer service and safety performance.

Similarly, the Outstanding Nominated Manager award is for the most resolute and effective nominated manager in rail for Safety Permit Group operators.

The Train Driver of the Year award recognises an exceptional individual who embodies an unwavering commitment to safety, highlighting remarkable skill, diligence and a profound safety ethos.

“This prestigious accolade celebrates their dedication to ensuring the safe passage of passengers or freight, setting the standard for safety performance within the rail industry.

“The National Rail Industry Awards are a testament to the excellence and innovation that drive our industry forward,” said RSR acting CEO Mmuso Selaledi.

The RSR is dedicated to promoting a culture of safety within the rail industry.

“Our multifaceted approach, which includes regulatory oversight, educational initiatives and collaborative efforts, is designed to ensure that safety remains the foundation of all rail operations.

“We are thrilled to recognise the exceptional contributions of industry professionals through the National Rail Industry Awards,” he said.

The regulator encourages all stakeholders to participate in the nomination process for the National Rail Industry Awards, and to continue working together to achieve the highest safety standards.