South Coast train commuters dealt another blow

Metrorail KZN has announced that the South Coast service will be suspended from Saturday, 16 December, as no trains are able to operate from Reunion to Kelso.

The drastic measure is the result of the 10 October storm which crippled services throughout the province. Metrorail was able to recover most services but the South Coast, particularly between Reunion and Amanzimtoti, remained inoperable as a result of washaways and landslides that left some sections of the rail line under debris or hanging in the air.

“At the time of the flooding, three of our train sets were stranded between Amanzimtoti and Kelso. We were able to continue running a shuttle service between Kelso and Amanzimtoti with these three sets,” said Metrorail comunications manager, Isabel van der Westhuizen.

“The challenge is that these sets are not able to go through to our maintenance depot in Durban for heavy repairs and servicing. Our maintenance on these trains has been limited to what can be done while the trains are in service and does not cover the full maintenance schedule to keep the trains in a safe working condition.

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Metrorail has already decommissioned one of these sets, as we don’t have access to do the heavy maintenance required on the set. The remaining two sets have now also reached a stage where heavy maintenance is required. A decision has been taken, in the interest of the safety of our commuters and staff, to also stop these trains effectively, suspending this service with effect from Saturday.”

Metrorail said commuter numbers has understandably dropped significantly, resulting in very little return for the added expense of operating and maintaining the service provided. “Preliminary discussions reveal there is support for this decision as the many transfers from rail to road and vice versa are proving costly for commuters,” said Van der Westhuizen.

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Repairs to the affected section of the rail line are still on track for completion by the end of January. Stations will be closed and no tickets will be sold until further notice. Commuters are advised to find alternative transport, as Metrorail has no buses to offer as alternative transport.

Commuters in possession of December monthly tickets are requested to safeguard these tickets, as an announcement will be made as to how compensation will be effected.