By: Natasha Archary
Transport Minister Fikile “Fix” Mbalula has unveiled 100 electric trains while the country is dealing with Stage 6 loadshedding.
While the Minister thought the news would be lauded by appreciate South Africans, to disgruntled citizens who are facing rolling blackouts, the announcement was met with ridicule.
In a similar response to that of the R22 million flag that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture were set on, social media users have ripped into Fix’s excitement that 100 electric trains will make life easier.
“These trains are capable of achieving a top speed of 120km/h and have all of the latest safety features, which include an anti-crash system to protect drivers and passengers.”
The question on everyone’s lips, in case it wasn’t obvious, is how will these trains run without electricity when loadshedding is only getting worse?
While he didn’t give a comprehensive answer to the question, Mbalula did say some electric trains will not function when there are power outages.
“These trains function when we’re struggling with power, because it will be prioritised during loadshedding. We have to also look at the future, which is hydrogen. We want to combine both power sources. This will allow us to bring in a new capacity that is environmentally friendly.
There is no train that stops because of power outages. But if it does happen, we can sort it out. We have a good relationship with Eskom, we always pay our bills, power cuts can happen to anybody but we do not anticipate our trains being affected by it.”
Fikile Mbalula says the electric trains won’t be affected by loadshedding
Lambasting the Minister on social media, South Africans pointed out a few factors that Mbalula omitted. These include the very real need for functional railway lines and tracks. With much of the country’s railway routes either damaged or due for much needed maintenance and repairs, not everyone shares Mr Fix’s enthusiasm.
The project seems like a far-fetched pipe-dream at this point, one that was unnecessary, which will only add to the Transport Department’s many woes.
“How about fixing potholes before taking on such a pretentious project.”
“So, these electric trains will run on which electricity? Or will we be loadshed forever so the trains can run?”
“Now you just need rails, electricity, a few bridges and functional stations.”
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