"By next month we will begin the dual process of concept development
and testing the market for a period of six months," says Ndebele.

The line would be about 720km long and would reduce the journey time
between Durban and Johannesburg from around 12 hours to three hours.
The line would encounter difficult topography and would have to
traverse the Drakensberg Mountains. The project is being evaluated as
part of South Africa's 20-year transport plan.

The department has also identified Johannesburg - Cape Town and Johannesburg - Musina as potential high-speed corridors.