Some Prasa trains to resume on Wednesday
Only the Pienaarspoort to Pretoria station line will be working in the province.
Only the Pienaarspoort to Pretoria station Prasa line will resume operations on Wednesday.
It is one of four lines in the country approved to resume operations on 1 July as part of a staggered resumption of train operations.
This after transport minister Fikile Mbalula inspected various Prasa train stations on Tuesday, ahead of the gradual resumption of operations.
Mbalula, with Prasa administrator Bongisizwe Mpondo and Prasa CEO Nosipho Damasane, inspected the Wolmerton depot, Pienaarspoort and Pretoria stations.
Mbalula said he was pleased with Prasa’s overall state of readiness, but stressed that there was still more work to be done.
He inspected social distancing measures, sanitisation of facilities and the use of personal protective equipment by officials.
“As we gradually reopen services, we are mindful of the tremendous work that lies ahead. We welcome the limited resumption of services, but we are also aware of the mammoth task that lies ahead,” he said.
“The Covid-19 outbreak has interrupted the momentum that we had gained as we worked to repair Prasa. In dealing with the virus, Prasa was forced to halt its operations, thus losing revenue.”
Infrastructure upgrades and refurbishments were suspended under the lockdown regulations.
“To make matters worse, vandalism continued to plague the trains and stations, setting us back further.”
ALSO READ: Prasa revenue loss due to the lockdown estimated at R199 million
Gauteng – operating between Pienaarspoort and Pretoria stations:
– Morning peak service will be between 05:00-09:00
– Afternoon peak service will be between 15:00-19:00
Prasa spokesperson Makhosini Mgitywa said passengers were encouraged to arrive at their stations earlier than usual to accommodate for time for screening and hand sanitisation on the premises.
“Passengers who are exhibiting symptoms associated with Covid-19 will not be allowed inside the stations and will be provided with a holding facility where health authorities will attend to them. Commuters are urged not to travel if they are feeling unwell, but instead they should stay at home and seek medical advice.”
Resumption of services comes after three months of closure due to lockdown regulations.
We’re inside a Metrorail Train From Koedoespoort to Pretoria Station.
The resumption of operations won’t be without its own challenges, cable theft continues to rob our people of their service. This we will continue to fight.
— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) June 30, 2020
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