UPDATE: Trains were authorised to travel on same line
Minister has directed PRASA to fast track its plans to modernise rail services in South Africa
The two trains which collided at the Geldenhuys Railway Station on Tuesday morning were both authorised to travel on the same line towards Springs from Johannesburg.
Investigators on the scene classified this crash as a rear-end-vision on the platform and a comprehensive investigation in underway.
The Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi, directed the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to expedite the investigation into the cause of the accident.
It is estimated that about 226 passengers have been injured with 67 sustaining moderate injuries and 159 sustaining minor injuries. Most of these injuries are as a result of emergency brakes being applied by the driver of the incoming train.
Maswanganyi has directed PRASA to fast track its plans to modernise rail services in South Africa, including expediting the process to replace all existing signaling interlocking, which consist mainly of obsolete mechanical and electro-mechanical systems, with electronic interlocking as the technology of choice.
“A budget of about R5.6 billion has been set aside for signalling modernisation since 2015 to 2018, as we know that our rail network has previously been characterised by years of disinvestment by the apartheid regime. Cable theft remains one of the major challenges that keep on undermining our determination and efforts to provide a safe and secure railway experience for all South Africans,” said Maswanganyi.
Maswanganyi calls on communities, civil society and business to work together with government to secure the railway network from all the criminals who are hell-bent on vandalising the railway network system for economic benefits.
To further alleviate inconveniences to commuters, trains running between Johannesburg and Germiston are running on a single line with delays in scheduling.
Prasa will give the injured and their families support through the Metrorail walk-in Centre at 30 Wolmarans Street, Umjantshi, House in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
For further assistance, commuters who were involved in this crash and their immediate families can call 011 013 0067.
Maswanganyi wishes all the injured a speedy recovery.
