Full operation of the Metrorail Central Line, which services Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain, has been delayed by another month, to May, according to Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga.
Last month, during an oversight visit to train stations on the Central Line by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts , Metrorail regional manager Raymond Maseko told the committee that trains would be operating from Cape Town station to Khayelitsha’s Nolungile train station ‘by April’.
PRASA has been struggling to reopen the Central Line due to ongoing theft and vandalism in late 2019, following the rail agency cancelling security contracts. The affordability of the train as a means of public transport was highlighted by passengers Chikunga spoke to as she made her way through the carriages on the Southern Line on Tuesday.Mavis Sobethwa, who lives in Masiphumele and catches the train from Fish Hoek to Woodstock, where she has part-time domestic work, didn’t realise it was the minister who sat down next to her. ‘Hau!’ she exclaimed loudly when it dawned on her, to laughter from her friends and Chikunge.
She said in October last year ‘guys tried to rob a phone’ from a passenger but were caught on camera. The train stopped, and a culprit was apprehended. She was also happy that since March, trains now ran every 20 minutes rather than once every 55 minutes as was previously the case.the train allowed them to talk to one another and ‘share ideas’.
He said Cape Town needed a functioning train service so that people did not have to use the roads, which were ‘a nightmare’. It took him 35 minutes to get to work by train but an hour by car.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PRASA gets ready to resume operations on CT Central LineAccording to PRASA regional manager Raymond Maseko, significant progress has been made in restoring train service in the City.
Read more »
Central Line saga: Cape Town residents vow to 'fight tooth and nail' against Prasa relocationCentral Line saga: Cape Town residents vow to 'fight tooth and nail' against Prasa relocation
Read more »
Central African Republic: 20 Dead After Ferry Sinks in Central African Republic, Witnesses SayAt least 20 people have drowned in Central African Republic after a ferry sank while carrying passengers on a river, witnesses said Saturday.
Read more »
Who’s next in line as Kolisi concedes he may lose captaincy?Siya Kolisi has admitted being based overseas could cost him the Springbok captaincy. So who might be next in line to take over?
Read more »
WATCH: Transport industry working to accommodate people with disabilitiesThe focal point of Ramaphosa’s address was continuing attempts to guarantee universal access in the transport system. These efforts comprise measures set to secure accessibility for people with disabilities.
Read more »
People with disabilities call for better transport access policies - SABC NewsPeople with disabilities urge government to enhance transportation accessibility policies
Read more »