Commuters are breathing a long sigh of relief after the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) returned Soweto train services between Naledi and Johannesburg on Monday, 28 November. The completion of rebuilding this line with the new electrical motor units-Isitimela Sabantu is yet another critical milestone for Prasa following successful trial runs on the line.
The train stops at the following stations: Naledi, Merafe, Inhlazane, Ikwezi, Dube, Phomolong, Mzimhlophe, New Canada, Longdale, Croesus, Langlaagte, Braamfontein and Park Station. The Prasa team ran trial operations on the line to ensure the safety and reliability of the railway for public use last week. This is after unprecedented levels of theft and damage of the infrastructure.
The return of services in Soweto comes at an ideal moment for commuters who rely on an efficient and economical means of transportation due to the high cost of living and rising transportation expenditures. Mr Hishaam Emeran, Acting Group CEO of Prasa, commends the project team for their devotion and efforts in resurrecting the Naledi line.
“We would like to thank the local community, community leaders and small businesses who played a major role in supporting Prasa in delivering on its primary mandate. We would also like to urge communities to continue playing a role in protecting the network and protect the new trains from vandalism and stone-throwing,” he said
The trial operations included the testing of the integrity of the network and newly installed infrastructure, scheduling, and systems put in place. Following the testing of the lines, Prasa is pleased that the train will run at both peak and off-periods. Given Metrorail’s vital role in linking distant towns to economic centres and opportunities, the revival of the Naledi line is a significant success for the Group.
For the safety of commuters and informal traders, and to deter robberies inside the trains, trading will not be allowed inside the trains. According to Ms Andiswa Makanda, Prasa spokesperson, only informal traders will be allowed to trade in and around the platforms where demarcated sites will be provided.
“We have also put in a place an integrated security plan to ensure the safety and security of commuters, employees, the recovered rail infrastructure, and the new trains. We have also increased security personnel on the ground,” she said.
