Mamelodi train route back on track

Metrorail has reintroduced the route between Mamelodi and the Pretoria central business district (CBD) following a forced shut down in March this year.

“We are now confident that we can reintroduce the train service on Saturday 19 May 2018. We hope that the commuting public and communities will work closely with us to protect these valuable assets,” said Passenger Railway Agency of South Africa (PRASA) acting group chief executive officer, Lindikhaya Zide.

Mamelodi phase five resident Phathutshedzo Siphugu works for a cleaning company in the Pretoria CBD has welcomed the announcement as the shutdown of the route affected him severely.

“When I use a train I buy a ticket for the whole month which costs R160. During the shutdown I struggled because I had to use taxis which cost me about R600 per month.

“I am very glad that Metrorail has reintroduced the route because this will decrease my travelling costs and I will now be able to save.”

On 14 March PRASA took a decision to suspend the Mamelodi Corridor train service until further notice to protect employees, assets and commuters from harm after train crew, security and customer services officials were assaulted.

Following the suspension Metrorail had numerous engagements with the Pienaarspoort and Mamelodi communities to discuss issues of common interest and to sensitise commuters to stand up against the few people who vandalise trains and assault staff members.

Nineteen Metrorail employees who were assaulted on the Mamelodi corridor are still undergoing trauma counselling.

“It is a fact that staff assaults and the vandalism and theft of railway infrastructure contributes negatively to the reliable train service that we strive to achieve for our commuters,” said Zide.

He urged commuters to take full ownership of the rail’s assets and play their part to protect them.

“We strongly encourage commuters to report all forms of crime they witness against passenger rail assets and people to the police or security officials at stations so that perpetrators can be immediately arrested,” Zide added.

The shutdown followed violent incidents including including a female train driver who was assaulted and stripped naked.

Around one hundred thousand people use the service daily and the damage to the carriages and rolling stock during the violent protests totalled R6.5 million.

(Source SABC, Metrorail)