PRASA ordered by RSR not to operate trains manually
The Geldenhuys accident convinced the RSR that PRASA Rail does not have the means to prevent accidents from happening during degraded mode
The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) does not have the means to prevent accidents from happening when manual authorisations are undertaken.
This is the conclusion the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) came to following the train accident at the Geldenhuys Railway Station in Germiston on Tuesday.
As a result the RSR has issued PRASA with a prohibition directive for operating under conditions which are a threat or might be a threat to safe railway operations, which led to the collision at the Geldenhuys station.
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The prohibition applies with immediate effect and will be in force nationally, the RSA said in a statement on Wednesday.
PRASA was also issued a prohibition directive in June last year following a train collision at Elandsfontein Railway Station, which claimed the life of one person.
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“PRASA Rail was subsequently instructed to cease operating trains in the PRASA Gauteng Region under abnormal working conditions. In response to the directive, PRASA Rail issued correspondence to the RSR undertaking to ensure safe train operations during degraded conditions [manual operation].
“However, on the morning of January 9 two Metrorail trains were involved in a rear-end collision at the Geldenhuys station. This accident convinced the RSR that PRASA Rail does not have the means to prevent accidents from happening during degraded mode when manual authorisations are undertaken,” the RSR added.
“PRASA is, therefore, prohibited from manually authorising trains until such time that normal train services are restored or until such time when PRASA Rail can provide the RSR with a comprehensive and convincing action plan for all affected areas in all the provinces where Metrorail trains operate.
“Failure to comply with the directive is an offence in terms of Section 45 of Act 16 of 2002 as amended and will result in criminal charges and/or a penalty being imposed in terms of the Penalty Fee Regulations 2011 as amended.”
