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Cape Town - Frustrated Metrorail commuters feel they have been duped after braving the sweltering heat and having to walk on the railway tracks following several train delays.
Metrorail acting marketing and communication manager Daphne Kayster told Fin24 that the delays were as a result of emergency repair work.
She said two carriages slipped off the rails in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon.
"Technicians are working around the clock to assess the damage and to remove the derailed train set."
She said the cause of the derailment will be investigated.
Kayster added that measures have been implemented to ease the pain of train delays.
Bus arrangements
"Alternative bus arrangements have been made for commuters and their train tickets are valid on the bus shuttle."
"Refunds can be made, if brought to Metrorail’s attention within 30 minutes at the station at which the ticket was purchased."
She said the time constraint makes provision for returns in case of wrongful purchase but is enforced to help prevent tickets being copied or falsified.
She also encouraged commuters to consult Metrorail’s passenger information channels before boarding trains.
However, it has been a blue Monday for several people travelling to work and those doing last minute Christmas shopping.
Not again
"It is the first time and the last time that I am travelling with Metrorail," said Aziza Rogers.
She had to make her way to Cape Town from Woodstock station with a baby on her back. "I don't think I will ever take the train again."
Nazeema Dollie said it is unfair that people wasted their money to buy train tickets.
She was also upset because her dress got entangled in a metal fence after she had to climb over it because of an oncoming train.
She also expressed safety concerns. "This is putting people's lives in danger."
Running on the tracks
Rowena Engel shared these sentiments, saying she was afraid because she had to run after seeing an approaching train.
She also complained that her shoe broke when she jumped from the stationery train that was meant to take her to Cape Town station.
Xolani Busakwe said that most commuters did not know what was happening.
"People were panicking, when some people jumped out of the train it started to move again.
"What if the train knocked someone?" he asked.
Late for work
Angelic Foster was worried because she was late for work.
"They could have told us when we bought our tickets that there is a problem."
Jeremy Nuemann, who was also late for work, described the entire ordeal as "very unfortunate".
"I am over an hour late for work and it will be deducted from my wages."
Lorraine Maseko said she took a train from Pinelands and a 15 minute delay turned out to be over an hour.
Train hopping
"Every time we got out of one train and went into another. Eventually we got out and walked on the tracks to Cape Town."
Diana Nxazonke, who took the train at 09:00 only arrived at Cape Town station at 14:00.
"I am very angry and I want my refund."
She also complained that ticket attendants did not offer her any help.
Sharon Bernardo, who took a train from Kraaifontein, said she had to get off at Thornton station because of the delays.
"I jumped off and had to walk through the graveyard and get a taxi from Voortrekker Road.
"Now that I want to go back home there is still no trains and I bought a valid ticket that I can't use."
- Fin24
Metrorail acting marketing and communication manager Daphne Kayster told Fin24 that the delays were as a result of emergency repair work.
She said two carriages slipped off the rails in Cape Town on Sunday afternoon.
"Technicians are working around the clock to assess the damage and to remove the derailed train set."
She said the cause of the derailment will be investigated.
Kayster added that measures have been implemented to ease the pain of train delays.
Bus arrangements
"Alternative bus arrangements have been made for commuters and their train tickets are valid on the bus shuttle."
"Refunds can be made, if brought to Metrorail’s attention within 30 minutes at the station at which the ticket was purchased."
She said the time constraint makes provision for returns in case of wrongful purchase but is enforced to help prevent tickets being copied or falsified.
She also encouraged commuters to consult Metrorail’s passenger information channels before boarding trains.
However, it has been a blue Monday for several people travelling to work and those doing last minute Christmas shopping.
Not again
"It is the first time and the last time that I am travelling with Metrorail," said Aziza Rogers.
She had to make her way to Cape Town from Woodstock station with a baby on her back. "I don't think I will ever take the train again."
Nazeema Dollie said it is unfair that people wasted their money to buy train tickets.
She was also upset because her dress got entangled in a metal fence after she had to climb over it because of an oncoming train.
She also expressed safety concerns. "This is putting people's lives in danger."
Running on the tracks
Rowena Engel shared these sentiments, saying she was afraid because she had to run after seeing an approaching train.
She also complained that her shoe broke when she jumped from the stationery train that was meant to take her to Cape Town station.
Xolani Busakwe said that most commuters did not know what was happening.
"People were panicking, when some people jumped out of the train it started to move again.
"What if the train knocked someone?" he asked.
Late for work
Angelic Foster was worried because she was late for work.
"They could have told us when we bought our tickets that there is a problem."
Jeremy Nuemann, who was also late for work, described the entire ordeal as "very unfortunate".
"I am over an hour late for work and it will be deducted from my wages."
Lorraine Maseko said she took a train from Pinelands and a 15 minute delay turned out to be over an hour.
Train hopping
"Every time we got out of one train and went into another. Eventually we got out and walked on the tracks to Cape Town."
Diana Nxazonke, who took the train at 09:00 only arrived at Cape Town station at 14:00.
"I am very angry and I want my refund."
She also complained that ticket attendants did not offer her any help.
Sharon Bernardo, who took a train from Kraaifontein, said she had to get off at Thornton station because of the delays.
"I jumped off and had to walk through the graveyard and get a taxi from Voortrekker Road.
"Now that I want to go back home there is still no trains and I bought a valid ticket that I can't use."
- Fin24
