Much relief for commuters as Gauteng trains running again
Cash-strapped Soshanguve residents can breathe a sigh of relief as trains return to the Mabopane station on Tuesday after 11 months of suspension.
Gauteng Metrorail announced on Sunday that limited train services would resume on Tuesday, using diesel locomotives.
The Mabopane station was closed in December 2019 due to cable theft with the effects trickling down to the Technikon Rand station in Pretoria West.
Gauteng Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said train services would only operate during morning peak (05:00-09:00) and the afternoon peak (15:00-19:00) hours.
“The first-come-first-serve rule will apply due to Covid-19 requirements. The trains will only load 70% of the total capacity to allow for social distancing.
“For safety reasons and due to the severe impact of theft and vandalism, trains will not be able to stop at all stations, including Soshanguve, Kopanong, Wintersnest and Akasiaboom.
A commuter who was on his way to Pretoria West said he was spending R100 a day on transport.
“From my house to Pretoria West with a taxi I have been charged R50 for a single trip but with a train it’s R8.50, so from now on I’ll be saving more than R80 for transport a day. We are going to be saving a lot of money as the train did not increase fares, hopefully it will operate well and not get stuck.”
Another commuter, Thandi Ndlovu, said she was happy that trains were back because she had been struggling to make ends meet with all the money that went into transport.
“The taxis were ‘killing us’. I’m going to be saving R1 900 a month. I was using a R100 a day for transport and I am working five days a week,” she said.
“I was just working for taxi money. I’m so glad the trains are back. I am now going to be able to buy things for my children and Christmas clothes.”
Ndlovu urged commuters to adhere to Covid-19 regulations as some fear that trains might be too full and the spread of Covid-19 might rise.
“If Covid-19 is in the trains then it’s also in the taxis as we are all using public transport. We just need to follow the protocols that have been given to us because even in the taxis, it’s full capacity, so 70% is fine.”
Mofokeng said commuters are reminded that the country is still under lockdown level 1, therefore commuters are expected to wear a mask at all times and maintain social distancing.
”Metrorail has social distancing markings at the stations and in the trains.”
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