Share

Looming Metrorail collapse a 'civic emergency' - Cape Chamber

Cape Town - Metrorail is nearing collapse and if it is unable to perform, Cape Town and its economy will be in trouble, the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned on Monday.

Limited services were available to commuters on the central service area and there were delays and cancellations on the northern line due to vandalism and arson last week.

Chamber president Janine Myburgh said emergency measures were needed to "save the system" that carried more people to work in Cape Town than any other form of public transport.

"We have a state of civic emergency on our hands and we must take tough and necessary measures before we lose the backbone of public transport in Cape Town," she said in a statement.

On Friday morning, a train was set alight and four carriages were razed in Kraaifontein. Later that day, three carriages were set alight at the Esplanade Station. Last weekend, two trains were set alight at Cape Town Station, resulting in the closure of platforms and delays.

Metrorail said its own protection services, police and other law enforcement agencies were on "high alert".

The City of Cape Town on Sunday said it had put additional MyCiTi buses on its N2 Express route between Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, and Cape Town to help Metrorail commuters.

Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport, Brett Herron, said illegal strikers’ sabotage of the rail service and long-standing issues with Metrorail's infrastructure, including defective signal systems and electrical malfunctions, had to be addressed urgently. 

He expressed concerns about its long-term consequences for Cape Town’s economy and its effects on already congested roads as commuters were forced to make use of private vehicles or other road- based public transport.

Herron urged Metrorail's management to take charge of the "untenable" situation.

"The infrastructure may be old but I believe it can operate reliably if it is protected from vandalism and disruption. That must be our urgent priority."

Herron had asked the Golden Arrow bus service to provide additional buses to prevent commuters from being stranded or delayed. The company had agreed to supply as many additional buses as possible during the morning and afternoon peak hours on Monday.

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
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.16
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.67
-0.4%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.40
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.4%
Platinum
906.17
-1.9%
Palladium
1,006.16
-5.6%
Gold
2,155.87
-0.2%
Silver
24.92
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
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