Empty promises leave KwaDukuza commuters stranded without passenger trains

Sixteen months since the Passenger Rail Agency (Prasa) promised residents a return of passenger train services in KwaDukuza, not a single train has been seen running since 2018.

In May last year Prasa announced that the Durban to Tongaat and Durban to KwaMashu and Bridge City lines would be the first to resume services the following month.

Repairs on the train lines to KwaDukuza were then already underway and widely publicised at the time, raising frustrated commuters’ hopes of a resumption of affordable transport, but that is where it ended.

The suspension of train services was attributed to cable theft and vandalism of train stations and railway infrastructure, resulting in substantial financial losses for the government.

For the thousands of commuters relying on trains to travel from KwaDukuza to Durban and other areas with train stations, the suspension of rail transport has left them stranded.

With no bus services available on the Dolphin Coast (between Tongaat and KwaDukuza), residents are forced to depend on taxis.

Economic challenges exacerbate the problem, particularly for those from low-income communities struggling to keep up with transport costs.

Many are compelled to borrow money from loan sharks who charge interest rates ranging between 30% to 50% on a R100 loan.

Trains are no doubt the more affordable mode of transport for financially strained individuals.

When trains were last operational in 2018, a return ticket from KwaDukuza to Durban cost only R23 (although it would have increased by now).

At the moment, commuters pay a hefty R120 daily for the same return trip, a staggering R2 400 monthly for those working Mondays to Fridays.

The impact is keenly felt by individuals such as a Groutville resident (who prefers to remain anonymous), who now spends almost R4 000 a month on transport after the demise of train services.

Earning R10 000 a month, he said the burden of supporting his family often forced him to approach loan sharks.

“When trains were still operating, I did not have to go to Stanger because there is a train station in Groutville. But now I have to budget for a taxi to Stanger and to Durban. If trains were running I’m sure I wouldn’t be spending more than R600 for transport,” said the 35 year old.

Tongaat vegetable vendor Witness Ngcamu echoed the sentiment, saying her life would be financially much easier if trains were still available.

The current taxi fares of R42 (return trip) from Verulam and R24 from her home to Verulam far outstrip the previous train fare of R14.

“I know the train fares would have been higher than what we used to pay in 2018, but I’m sure I would be paying far less if trains were still available. If trains can return, my life will be saved from the financial trouble I encounter monthly,” said Ngcamu.

Speaking to the Courier, iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO Cobus Oelofse underscored the significance of reliable public rail transport in the region.

“It offers affordable and reliable mobility to thousands of local commuters, especially across regional barriers. Similar to its freight cousin, a well-developed and well-functioning rail network enables the efficient movement of people, bolstering our local economy and stimulating job creation. It further eases road congestion and the reduction of travel time.

“Our local workforces and employers will benefit greatly from the reintroduction of a comprehensive train service from the Metro and neighbouring areas, and even more so from a commitment to ensuring the continuity of such rail services,” said Oelofse.

Despite numerous requests for updates from the Department of Transport and Prasa, there has been no response at the time of going to print.

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