Zuko Komisa
PRASA says 263 of the 463 stations that were vandalized have been refurbished to basic functionality.
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has updated the nation on the rail infrastructure.
PRASA has said that while criminal syndicates have caused a decline in commuter rail services throughout time, the government is making great progress toward reestablishing dependable, secure, contemporary, and reasonably priced passenger rail services.
In Gauteng, PRASA has recovered six more lines that were targeted for the 2023/24 financial year.
“I am also pleased to tell you that since the recovery of the passenger rail services in the 2020/2021 financial year, over 70 million passenger trips have been made to date, from a low base of 7.4 million passenger trips made in the 2020/21 financial year. That is more than a tenfold increase and that makes us proud.
“Since the recovery of the Nancefield line, this service alone is making over 1 000 passenger trips per day. Though we are not where we should be, this marks a significant improvement, and illustrates the demand for the service. It also tells the story that people are gradually choosing rail as their preferred mode of transport,”
“With the reopening of the Nancefield to Johannesburg railway line, we are seeing the transformative power of commuter rail services.
“Residents from Klipspruit, Mlamlakunzi, Sebokeng, Orange Farm, can now travel to industrial parks in Braamfontein, Germiston and various destinations by train. We are connecting people to places of work and economic opportunities – affordably.
“The people love the security features that come with the trains, they love the automated doors, the voice command that tells them of the next stopping stations and the air-conditioning system. More importantly, they appreciate the savings they make on travelling costs. They can now put more money back into their pockets,”
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga
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