WCG delivers on restoration of rail network

The DA in the Western Cape welcomes the much needed support provided by the Department of Transport and Public Works to assist the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) in restoring rail services in the province. The department has thus made R10 million available towards the improvement of several key areas in the rail network, this includes passenger rail services and safety and security of the network and its commuters.

As a result of the DA-led Western Cape is taking a lead role in cooperative governance, we are already seeing clear signs of readiness for the Langa – Cape Town rail service to resume.

As Chairperson of the Transport and Public Works Standing Committee at the provincial legislature, I will invite the provincial Minister, Bonginkosi Madikizela, and the management of PRASA and Metrorail to brief the committee on these developments. As a legislature, we will play our part in ensuring that funds are spent where they are needed for this project, critical to the livelihoods of residents.

In March of 2020 Minister Fikile Mbalula announced that R1,4 billion would be made available to restore Cape Town’s Central Line to full capacity. In addition to this President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the central like in the Western Cape would be up and running by September 2020.

Although national government has made these promises, they have not come to bare real meaning, resulting in the Western Cape Government leading the charge. Through the department and PRASA entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it has allowed for key job creation through the vegetation clearing programme. The programme has created short term work opportunities for 80 people. Through the use of small-scale contractors the programme has also supported SMMEs in the province.

The focus of this project will be confined to four key areas at this current time, including the Southern Line, Northern Line, Central Line, and the Cape Flats Line. Currently these lines transport the most number of Western Cape residents on a daily basis, with the central line transporting 220 000 passengers alone at full capacity.

The DA in the Western Cape remains committed to creating and maintaining a safe and reliable rail system for all residents who make use of this mode of transport.