Update: RSR issues prohibition directive to Prasa for manual train authorisations
The prohibition applies with immediate effect and will be in force nationally.
The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has issued the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) with a prohibition directive in terms of Section 36 of the National Railway Safety Regulator Act 16 of 2002 as amended (“the RSR Act”), for operating under conditions which are a threat or might be a threat to safe railway operations, which led to the collision at the Geldenhuys Station, on Tuesday.
On June 19, last year, following the train collision at Elandsfontein, the RSR issued Prasa Rail with a prohibition directive.
Prasa Rail was subsequently instructed to cease operating trains in the Prasa Gauteng Region under abnormal working conditions.
In response to the directive, Prasa Rail issued correspondence to the RSR undertaking to ensure safe train operations during degraded conditions.
However, on the morning of January 9, two Metrorail trains were involved in a rear-end collision at the Geldenhuys Station.
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This accident convinced the RSR that Prasa Rail does not have the means to prevent accidents from happening during degraded mode when manual authorisations are undertaken.
Prasa is, therefore, prohibited from manually authorising trains until such a time that normal train services are restored or until such a time when Prasa Rail can provide the RSR with a comprehensive and convincing action plan for all affected areas in all the provinces where Metrorail trains operate.
The prohibition applies with immediate effect and will be in force nationally.
Failure to comply with the directive is an offence in terms of Section 45 of Act 16 of 2002 as amended and will result in criminal charges and/or a penalty being imposed in terms of the Penalty Fee Regulations 2011 as amended.
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