The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has highlighted its top priority as achieving the full restoration of commuter rail services throughout the country.

PROGRESS REPORT FROM PRASA PRASA has reported significant advancements in the process of reinstating commuter services on a national scale. A total of 18 corridors have been successfully rehabilitated nationwide, and an additional 16 corridors have been identified for recovery in the current fiscal year. Within the Western Cape region, eight rail lines have been successfully recovered, of which six are operational with the new Electric Motor Units, commonly known as Isitimela Sabantu. Trains are now operational on the Central, Southern, and Northern corridors, serving 88 out of 121 stations within the province. Five more corridors in the Western Cape are targeted for recovery within this fiscal year, namely Nyanga to Philippi, Philippi to Chris Hani, Philippi to Kapteinsklip, Bellville to Strand, and Cape Town to Muldersvlei. ALSO READ: PRASA Responds to Incident of Bus Stuck Under Low-Height Bridge

PROGRESS IN COMMUTER RAIL SERVICES

“We are steadily making progress in the restoration of these rail lines. PRASA’s efforts to rehabilitate and ensure the sustainability of urban passenger rail services aim to establish a lasting presence of passenger rail within the city,” commented PRASA. ALSO READ: PRASA Chairperson Faces Removal from Position

“These plans are part of PRASA’s comprehensive strategy to enhance passenger rail services across South Africa and establish rail as a secure, dependable, and affordable mode of transportation,” noted the agency.

PRASA employees at work. Photo: SA Gov News/ Twitter

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Enhancing passenger train services for Cape Town involves various strategies:

Ramping up the frequency of trains within the Cape Town rail network. Enhancing train frequency through signal recovery. Upgrading train stations. Investing in security and facilities management to continue improving passenger safety and comfort.

PRASA’s Impact in the Western Cape In alignment with its secondary mandate, PRASA has already contributed to the socioeconomic landscape of Cape Town with the development of a new multi-use project at Cape Town Station. “In conjunction with the improvements in train services, these initiatives will enhance commuters’ quality of life, create employment opportunities, and stimulate the city’s economy,” stated PRASA.

“The growing number of reopened rail lines, along with those earmarked for future reopening, signifies the substantial progress in reestablishing passenger rail as a vital element of public transportation in the Western Cape. The residents of the city have warmly embraced the return of services on various lines, including segments of the crucial Central Line. The recovery and reconstruction program remains a priority that PRASA is actively sharing with stakeholders, including parliamentary committees to which we have been invited,” concluded the agency. ALSO READ: PRASA Partially Restores Cape Town’s Central Line

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