The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has made great strides in refurbishing rail infrastructure, with 31 out of 40 lines now in service. On Tuesday, 08 October 2024, the Minister of Transport, Ms. Barbara Creecy took a train ride from Germiston to Katlehong as part of the October Transport Month Campaign. The aim of the ride was also to conduct an oversight visit of the stations. The Minister was accompanied by the PRASA Board of Control and Management, including the group CEO, Mr. Hishaam Emeran.
The October Transport Month Campaign aims to showcase and celebrate the critical role the Department of Transport and its entities played in changing the face of our economy through providing efficient, reliable and safe public transport.
This year’s theme, “Doing More Together,” has allowed the PRASA group to highlight their infrastructure efforts by adhering to this theme and enhancing services for the people of South Africa through the reconstruction of destroyed railway lines and the provision of safe and secure trains.
After the train ride, Minister Creecy toured both the Katlehong Sub and main stations, followed by a media briefing focusing on infrastructure investments and upgrades. During the briefing, she highlighted that one of the goals for October Transport Month is to demonstrate how the Department is enhancing the country’s transport systems. She emphasized that the Department envisions rail as the foundation of the transport network in the long run, servicing both passengers and freight. Additionally, she pointed out that the Department has set a target for 2030 concerning the number of passenger trips taken and freight transported. This initiative aims to create an affordable public transport system for workers and other commuters, while also establishing a sustainable and reliable revenue source for PRASA to support ongoing maintenance of the system. She wrapped up the media briefing by stating that the Department will persist in its efforts to ensure that the people of South Africa have access to affordable public transport. She pointed out that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, around 20% of the working class now walks to work due to the unaffordability of other transport options. Additionally, she mentioned that they are implementing preventive measures to combat vandalism of stations and railway lines by enhancing security and introducing two new technologies: drones and a system that will notify them of any irregular tampering with the rail lines.
