Thieves cause damage worth R2-b to Prasa train stations

Over 672 000 daily train commuters have been left stranded by the collapse of train services across Gauteng, while 1 833 incidents of train stations have been vandalised over the past three years at a replacement cost in excess of R2-billion.

In addition to the 800 daily trips, 585 daily trips have been cancelled due to the vandalism, resulting in a staggering financial loss to Prasa of over R173-million per year.

All this was revealed in a reply to a parliamentary question, says Michael Waters, deputy federal chairperson in the National Assembly.

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“Railway services are a vital artery for our economy and getting people to work and places of opportunity in what is supposed to be a safe and affordable mode of transport.

“Commuters across Gauteng are been affected equally,” says Waters.

“Gauteng East’s 106 daily train trips have been reduced to 36, leaving the 285 375 daily commuters with no trains between Daveyton – Dunswart, Germiston – Johannesburg, Elandsfontein – Germiston – Johannesburg and Germiston – Kwesine.

“Gauteng West’s 306 daily train trips have been reduced to 100, leaving their 230 654 daily commuters with no trains between Vereeniging via Midway, Midway – Oberholzer, New Canada – George Goch as well as no train departing from Faraday and Westgate stations.”

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Gauteng North’s 388 daily train trips have also been reduced to 79, leaving their 363 541 daily commuters with no train services between Mabopane – Pretoria, De Wildt – Pretoria, Saulsville – Pretoria and with only 10 trips between Pretoria and Johannesburg on a daily basis.

The type of vandalism includes that to both conventional and modern signalling system, signals and train detection cables, including battery banks at signalling equipment rooms, multiple spans of contact and catenary wire overhead track equipment (OHTE) and transformers, rectifiers and various components at substations.

“Due to the vastly reduced number of train services, trains that are still operating have become overcrowded to such an extent it is now common cause to see commuters hanging from the sides of the train or even sitting on top of the train.

“This poses a huge risk to the safety of commuters as they can be hit by oncoming trains or get electrocuted by the 3 000V DC overhead.

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“Hundreds of thousands of ordinary South Africans rely on affordable and reliable transportation to get to and from work and to seek work.

“By not having a reliable train service, people are being forced to use other modes of transport at an increased cost to their household budget.

“The government needs to rescue the situation before we have no train service at all,” says Waters.

Prasa failed to respond in time regarding the vandalism, loss of income and the reduced number of trips.

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