WC Mobility MEC praises rehabilitation steps in public transport networks

Western Cape Mobility MEC, Isaac Sileku, has described the reopening of the Kapteinsklip passenger rail line in Mitchells Plain as an important step in rebuilding the province’s public transport network.

The Passenger Rail of South Africa (PRASA) has officially opened the line this week, six years after it was ground to a halt by vandalism, infrastructure damage, and the building of shacks along the route.

However, the trains are operating at a reduced frequency, running every 30 minutes instead of the usual 10-minute interval.

The Central Line, which was brought to its knees by illegal occupation of railway tracks and infrastructure vandalism just before the COVID-19 pandemic, was recovered last year.

The only stations without train access were Lentegeur, Mitchells Plain, and Kapteinsklip.

On Monday, the people of Mitchells Plain were able to take a train after six years. 

MEC Sileku said while all the train stations along the Central Line corridor are now open, the work is not complete. 

He said the focus now is on fixing signalling challenges to improve the frequency and reliability of trains.

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