Share

New trains won't solve passenger problems - PAC

Johannesburg - Metrorail would not solve the problems experienced by train commuters by purchasing new trains, the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) said on Tuesday. 

The new trains would simply plaster over the big cracks which exist in the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), said PAC spokesperson Kenneth Mokgatlhe.  

"The maintenance related, poor scheduling and insecurity remain a daily experience of commuters," Mokgatlhe said in a statement. 

"Moreover, the rail system has caught in the vicious circle of under-investment and legacy signal technology. This reflects lack of strategic focus from the leadership of Prasa," he said.

The PAC called on the transport department to review the management system as it claimed rails needed to be expanded to most parts of the country.

Early on Tuesday morning, two passenger trains collided in Denver, Johannesburg, killing a Metrorail employee.

The woman, a safety officer, was at the back of a stationary Metro Plus train carrying 700 people when it was rear-ended at about 07:00 by a Business Express train.

Over 200 people were injured in the incident. 

The PAC conveyed its condolences to the family of the deceased woman and wished a speedy recover to the injured.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.02
-0.6%
Rand - Pound
23.97
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.53
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.6%
Platinum
894.10
-0.3%
Palladium
996.00
-0.6%
Gold
2,196.05
+0.1%
Silver
24.45
-0.8%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
67,848
+0.3%
All Share
74,067
+0.2%
Resource 10
56,251
+1.1%
Industrial 25
103,518
+0.2%
Financial 15
16,466
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders