Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager confirmed that loadshedding was not the cause of the incident that took place on November 9, when four trains, between Park Station, Midrand and O R Tambo Airport, were affected by a power outage.

Commuters had taken to social media to complain about the effects of loadshedding on transport.

Nayager explained, “Yesterday afternoon an overhead power cable was damaged, resulting in a power failure. Four trains were impacted by the power failure and passengers from three of the four trains were evacuated soon thereafter as those trains were close to a station. It took approximately 90 minutes to safely evacuate passengers from the fourth train which had stopped between the depot and Marlboro station. We had 47 passengers on this train.”

Nayager added, “At 23:20, [we] restored power to the track on the North-South line and the normal train service, on both tracks, is now operational. As a result, trains will be operating according to schedule.”

She said Gautrain apologised to its customers for the disruption to the train service. “In particular, we apologise to our customers who had to be evacuated yesterday evening due to the power failure. We thank these passengers for their understanding and for working with us to make that process safe and efficient,” she said.

Initial article: November 9, 19:17

A number of Gautrain rail lines have reportedly been affected by loadshedding this afternoon (November 9).

This has left passengers, from its Park to Marlboro stations, stranded in both the trains and on the platforms.

According to the Gautrain Management Agency on social media, due to a power failure, the train service between Park and Midrand stations, and the O R Tambo Airport service have been disrupted.

“A bus service is transporting passengers to and from the affected stations.”

Update: Trains are operating on a single track btwn Midrand & Sandton. A bus service is transporting passengers btwn Sandton & Park & btwn Sandton & OR Tambo. Train service btwn Midrand & Hatfield is unaffected. Please expect a delay of approx. 50 min on both lines.

— Gautrain (@TheGautrain) November 9, 2021

Various passengers took to social media to share their feelings of both shock and confusion.

Current situation @ Midrand we are waiting for Gautrain that is coming from Pretoria to take us to Pretoria. Gautrains from Pretoria to Park Station and Park Station to Malboro Station are not in service due to load shedding 😡🤬 pic.twitter.com/PJV1P55P9s

— Boitumelo (@BoityMM) November 9, 2021

I’m currently stuck with the Gautrain in a tunnel under Sandton ‘coz of load shedding.

I feel like I’m in a movie.

— TP Pillay (@TP_Pillay) November 9, 2021

#Eskom and #gautrain pic.twitter.com/q6Dwz7LvM0

— Busisiwe May (@PennyBee28) November 9, 2021

The Gautrain Management Agency has been contacted for further comment.

This is developing story.