Summit to be held to improve rail transport
JOHANNESBURG – The Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport will hold a two-day Rail Summit following a recent train collision.
Chairperson of the Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Roads and Transport, Honourable Jacob Khawe, was saddened after hearing the news of a recent train accident which left more than 200 commuters critically injured and one person dead.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Khawe extended his sympathy to the family of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.
The committee is extremely concerned about the safety, reliability and efficiency of the public rail system in Gauteng. “Of even greater concern is the occurrence of this tragic accident during Transport Month, which is aimed at promoting the use of public transport and advancing the country’s road safety initiatives,” added Khawe.
He said that more was needed to be done to provide the people of Gauteng with a safe, reliable and efficient transport system. “The committee supports and welcomes the establishment of a committee of inquiry set up by Metro Rail to investigate the exact cause of the accident.
“As part of the committee’s intervention to bring about safety, reliability and efficiency to our public transport system, particularly in our rail system, the committee will host a two-day Rail Summit under the theme, Modernisation of public transport for reliable use.”
The summit will bring together organised formations of the rail transport sector such as the Rail Safety Regulator, Rapid Rail Unit, United Commuters Voice, Prasa/Metrorail, the Department of Community Safety, Transnet Freight Rail and the Department of Roads and Transport to discuss, report and propose regulations and possible approaches to improve rail transport.
The Rail Summit will take place on 28 October at Protea Hotel Parktonian in Braamfontein, and on 29 October at Park Station in Johannesburg.
