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Transport Minister Targets 80% Passenger Rail Recovery by Year-End
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has laid an ambitious agenda for the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) in the upcoming financial year. She aims to accomplish an 80% recovery of passenger rail corridors and lines, ushering in a modernised passenger train experience for the public.
During Transport Month, Chikunga has underscored that the department will focus on infrastructure. This activity presents an opportunity to showcase their achievements and plans across all modes of transportation, especially in light of the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Acknowledging the detrimental impact of pandemic-related restrictions on transportation operations across various sectors, Chikunga highlighted that some provinces have grappled with severe flood disasters.
In collaboration with South Africa’s MECs of transport, roads, infrastructure, public works, community safety, department entities, and stakeholders, Chikunga officially launched the 18th edition of the October Transport Month campaign. The campaign’s theme is ‘Siyakha: We are building a better transport infrastructure to grow South Africa together.’
Among the critical infrastructures requiring immediate attention, Chikunga pointed out the rail service, which faced significant disruptions during the COVID-19 period. These disruptions increased reliance on road transportation, contributing to a surge in accidents.
Chikunga attributed this phenomenon to the growth in rail freight and passenger transport. Meanwhile, land, air, and transport support services have experienced positive economic growth.
Also read: PRASA’s Determination to Rekindle Train Usage Among South Africans
The minister highlighted various domestic economic constraints, including unreliable electricity supply, skills shortages, regulatory uncertainties, market concentration, and untransformed markets that discourage new entrants.
She noted that these challenges have been exacerbated by a structural economic crisis exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a historically slow pace of infrastructure development.
Chikunga celebrated Prasa’s achievements in restoring the passenger rail network, positioning it as the future backbone of public transportation with significant socio-economic benefits.
She pointed out that 18 out of the 40 corridors operated by Prasa in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal have been recovered. The railway company has also refurbished 230 stations to basic functionality. Trains are now operational in major cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, and Ekurhuleni.
Looking ahead, Chikunga highlighted the recent reopening of the Leralla to Germiston line, a step closer to running services between the three major Gauteng metros.
Prasa will take the spotlight at the International Rail Safety Council (IRSC) conference, where they will present papers on railway safety, emphasising revitalising passenger rail in South Africa. The IRSC is a global forum for facilitating discussions and sharing experiences to enhance rail safety worldwide.
Source: Transport minister aims for 80% recovery of passenger rail by year-end
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Picture: Facebook / Prasa Group
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