Tag: trains

Two trains set alight

Two Metrorail trains have been set alight in Mabopane, the company said on Friday.

Five coaches carrying passengers caught fire at Kopanong station while in Akasia only one coach was burnt down at 22:00 on Thursday. Both trains were enroute to Mabopane from Koedoespoort , Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said.

Mofokeng said the cause of the fire was unknown. Several other coaches were however vandalised. No injuries had been reported.

She said they were not able to assess the extent of the damage because of the rain, but it seemed severe.

Commuters were advised to organise alternative transport as the services in the Mabopane corridor were shut down until further notice.

“It will be impossible to operate trains in this corridor due to the severe nature of the damage of these trains and the electrical overhead cables…commuters are advised to make their own transport arrangements…,” Gauteng Metrorail manager Tembela Kulu said.

SA govt wants cities to control trains

Jeremy Cronin
South Africa's deputy minister of transport, Jeremy Cronin, a member of the Communist Party

The government is considering handing control of passenger train services from the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) to cities, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.

Deputy Transport Minister Jeremy Cronin said the government wanted cities to develop programs for a comprehensive transport system, taking into account buses, trains, minibus taxis and other means of transport.

“Our cities are expanding at an ever accelerating pace. The government expects that by 2030, 70 percent of South Africans will be living in cities, and it is therefore important to develop systems that can keep pace with this level of growth,” Cronin was quoted as saying.

Public transport should be integrated with the development of settlements and industries. Currently, cities were responsible for city planning, but had no control over metro train services, which complicated co-ordination. Cronin said Metrorail passenger services formed an integral part of city infrastructure.

Thus far, Cape Town’s and Durban’s systems looked as though they would be the easiest to transfer from Metrorail to city authorities. The government was still discussing the financial and logistical details with Prasa, Cronin said. – Sapa