The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) introduced the new electric trains on the KwaMashu to Durban corridor on Tuesday. A trip from KwaMashu to Durban costs less than R10.
Moving with the times, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has reached another milestone with the approval to run a commercial service with the new electric motor units on the KwaMashu to Durban corridor.
In a statement issued by Prasa, it stated that with this service, commuters on the KwaMashu corridor can look forward to the built-in safety features that come with the new trains.
Commuters will be comforted to know that the trains have on-board CCTV cameras, an anti-crash system, wider doors that allow for easy entry and exit, air conditioning and voice alert and information display systems that help commuters get off at the right destination.
Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga officially launched the KwaMashu to Durban passenger train service on Tuesday, September 12.
The launch is part of the government’s Passenger Rail Recovery Programme following the destruction of rail infrastructure during the floods and under Covid-19 lock down.
Ms Chikunga was joined by Prasa group CEO Hishaam Emeran, Prasa acting chairperson Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo, and other officials of the Prasa board and its executives.
The new, blue and white modern trains, popularly known as Isitimela Sabantu (meaning people’s train), form part of the 18 corridors recovered to date, according to PRASA.
The trains are already running on the Southern Corridor between Durban and Umbogintwini and Durban to Cato Ridge lines. The phased rollout of the electric motor units on the recovered corridors is part of Prasa’s wider strategy to modernise and improve passenger rail services across South Africa.
Prasa said they also want to make rail a safe, reliable, and affordable mode of transport, according to the statement.
“These trains are the most advanced passenger trains in the country, and they significantly improve the passenger experience,” said Mr Emeran.
A single trip from KwaMashu to Durban will cost commuters under R10 – it is being subsidised by the government. The reopening of the corridor amounted to R94 million, and about R230 million has been spent so far on fixing infrastructure damage to about eight rail lines in KwaZulu-Natal, Prasa said.
“The corridor has not been used due to vandalism and theft of infrastructure. There was also damage that took place at some stations during the July 2021 unrest and recent floods,” said Ms Chikunga.
“I am happy that Prasa has indicated it has already appointed a service provider for signaling which will help in running full-scale services. We have seen the trains in well-developed countries around the world, and we are going to have them.”
Protection of the train against theft and vandalism also lies in the hands of commuters and the community, she added.
The Umlazi to Durban corridor and other corridors that are being repaired will open in the coming weeks, Ms Chikunga said.