The alarming deterioration of South Africa’s rail network has not escaped the attention of authorities. Stripped of their value, the trustees of the once world-class network are formulating a plan for restoration.
The Deputy Minister of Transport as well as members of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) participated in a digital video conference, Friday 27 November. The purpose of the meeting was to update the public on the ongoing work being done to breathe new life into the rail network ravaged by theft and vandalism.
Dikeledi Magadzi, Deputy Minister of Transport, was first to be introduced, and she established the challenges within her portfolio and the ideal vision for the rail network. “The network has not been revitalised as per our expectation but we are repositioning ourselves to play a major role in the development of the country,” said the Minister.
Deputy Chairperson of RSR, Boy Johannes Nobunga reeled off the statistics about safety-related incidents across the network. Operation occurrences were down 55 per cent from the previous financial year, but this is hardly surprising considering much of the network has been inoperable throughout 2020. One figure that illustrates the gradual decline of the network is the 24 per cent overall reduction in the physical network since 2010.
Confidence is still high of a turnaround as the wheels have already been set in motion for the rebuild. “We have an integrated plan between police and other security services. We plan to have the network fully secured in six months,” said RSR CEO Tsepho Kgare. PRASA CEO, Nosipho Damasane added that there was a tech-based approach out on tender that includes the incorporation of drones, body cams and video surveillance.
For now, restricting the flow of foot traffic along the network will be prioritised as walling off the corridors was emphasised by both CEOs. “If we are not secured, we cannot invest in the corridors,” stressed PRASA’s Damasane.
Restoring the lines and commuter stations to their former glory will be a mammoth task, but the cost of doing nothing affects more than just the bottom line.
