North train station problems to be resolved 2021 – Filkile Mbalula
Last year, Mbalula and president Cyril Ramaphosa travelled on the train on this line and were subsequently delayed when the train stopped due to cable theft.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula and passenger rail agency of SA (Prasa) administrator Bongisiwe Mpondo met at the Mabopane train station on Thursday, to outline plans to refurbish the local Metrorail line.
The station closed in December 2019, due to cable theft with the effects trickling down to the Technikon Rand station in Pretoria West, according to Gauteng Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng.
“Cable theft is an ongoing challenge in our environment,” said Mofokeng.
“It will take working closely with all relevant stakeholders including the police, commuters, the public and other relevant civil organisations such as CPFs to curb the problem,” said Mofokeng.
Mpondo said Metrorail would provide local commuters with bus shuttles to the next station for six months.
READ MORE: \We want our trains back – north commuters
“We have came to an agreement to purchase about 80 buses.”
Last year, Mbalula and president Cyril Ramaphosa travelled on the train on this line and were subsequently delayed when the train stopped due to cable theft.
The minister has made Prasa a priority, describing the entity as broken and in urgent need of fixing.
“The approach we took was to close the station and we had spoken to people who took decisive action,” said Mbalula adding that the station would remain closed until it was sorted out.
He said the project should be completed by April 2021.
“Trains are a cheap mode of transport for people in Mabopane and we have heard complaints that taxis are expensive,” said Mbalula.
Mabopane resident Vick Mdingane said Prasa failed its commuters who had to struggle in taxis.
“No train is operating and the train station has now turned into a spot for drug users,” said Mdingane adding that the promised shuttles would help the community.
A Soshanguve block S resident Siphiwe Mutale said she hoped that Prasa would create jobs for locals.
“On this upcoming project the minister has spoken about job creation to reduce unemployment,” said Mutale.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
