The United National Transport Union, UNTU says the government's fast‑tracked rail reforms are showing deep cracks. Private Train Operating Companies, once hailed as the solution, are now demanding urgent upgrades to a network long neglected by underinvestment and security failures. UNTU warns that opening the rail system to private operators without fixing the 31,000 km infrastructure, now managed by Transnet Rail Infrastructure Manager (TRIM), will not solve the problem. The Union is hoping for decisive action in President Cyril Ramaphosa's upcoming State of the Nation Address tonight to address the plight of rail infrastructure. Elvis Presslin spoke to UNTU Media Liaison and Communications Officer, Atenkosi Plaatjie