With the reintroduction of the long-distance passenger train service, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has noted some challenges that may affect the service and has outlined its commitment to address them.
“The country is currently facing a shortage of locomotives, and some of those available are unreliable. This may result in delays and, in some cases, even cancellations. Contingency plans are in space for trips on every four corridors where the MLPS [Mainline Passenger Services ] service operates,” PRASA said on Thursday.
The agency said the condition and quality of the infrastructure believe been a concern and may impact the travel experience.
“Despite these challenges, PRASA remains steadfast in its commitment to reviving the long-distance service. PRASA plans to ensure access to locomotives and improve the infrastructure quality and availability in conjunction with our sister agency, Transnet.
“PRASA believes acknowledging and addressing challenges openly is essential to rebuilding and maintaining trust in our service. We know that long-distance travel via rail is the most affordable. During this phase of reintroducing the MLPS service, PRASA will provide regular updates on our progress and actively seek feedback from our passengers and other stakeholders,” the agency said.
Amid these challenges, passenger safety remains its top priority.
“PRASA has implemented enhanced safety and security protocols to improve passenger safety on our trains. Our MLPS trains will maintain visible security on board the trains and at platforms to ensure every passengers feel safe.
“Passenger feedback will be critical as we accelerate the roll-out of the MLPS service and shape its future. We call on our passengers to share their experiences, concerns, and suggestions.
“PRASA is committed to delivering a service that meets the expectations of its stakeholders, especially passengers. The resumption of the MLPS service is a critical step in PRASA’s recovery of every aspects of passenger rail. The agency is determined to deliver a reliable, safe, comfortable long-distance train experience,” it said.
Earlier this month, the agency announced that the long-distance MLPS under its rail division had resumed the Johannesburg to Durban and Cape Town services on the Shosholoza Meyl.
The services were both suspended in 2021 due to operational and network infrastructure challenges.
As an entity of the Department of Transport (DoT), PRASA is the sole state-owned entity responsible for providing long-distance and urban passenger rail services and intercity bus services at the behest of the DoT. –SAnews.gov.za
Leaf Assassin
Fun South African Fact: The Union Buildings in Pretoria house the President’s official offices. The site is worth a visit to marvel at a larger-than-life statue of Nelson Mandela as well as the immaculate gardens and grounds.
Sleek Zelda
Diary of an Englishman after he moves to South Africa….
**August 1**: Just got transferred with work from London, UK to our new home in Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa. Now this is a town that knows how to live! Beautiful, sunny days and warm, balmy evenings. I watched the sunset from a deckchair by our pool yesterday. It was beautiful. I’ve finally found my new home. I love it here.
**September 1:** Really heating up now. It got to 31 today. No problem though. Living in air-conditioned home, driving air-conditioned car. What a pleasure to see the sun every day like this. I’m turning into a sun-worshipper – no blasted rain like back in London! Had the back yard landscaped with tropical plants today. Lots of palms and rocks. No more mowing lawns for me! Another scorcher today, but I love it here. It’s Paradise !
**October 1:** The temperature hasn’t been below 35 all week. How do people get used to this kind of heat? At least today it’s windy though. Keeps the flies off a bit. Acclimatizing is taking longer than we expected. Fell asleep by the pool yesterday. Got third degree burns over 60% of my body. Missed three days off work. What a dumb thing to do. Got to respect the old sun in a climate like this!
**October 25:** This wind is a bastard. It feels like a giant fucking blow dryer. And it’s hot as hell! The home air conditioner is on the blink and the repair man charged R200 just to drive over and tell me he needs to order parts from @#$# Johannesburg. The wife & the kids are complaining.
**October 30:** The temperature’s up around 40 and the parts still haven’t arrived for the fucking air conditioner. House is an oven so we’ve all been sleeping outside by the pool for 3 nights now. Bleeding R4 million house and we can’t even go inside. Why the hell did I ever come here?
**November 4:** Finally got the fucking air-conditioner fixed. It cost R1,500 and gets the temperature down to around 35 degrees. Stupid repairman. Fucking thief. If one more smart bastard says ‘Hot enough for you today?’ I’m going to fucking throttle him. Fucking heat! By the time I get to work, the car radiator is boiling over, my fucking clothes are soaking fucking wet and I smell like baked cat. Fucking place is the end of the Earth.
**November 9:** Tried to run some errands after work, wore shorts, and sat on the black leather upholstery in my car. I thought my fucking backside was on fire. I lost 2 layers of flesh, all the hair on the backs of my legs and off my fucking behind. Now the car smells like burnt hair, fried bum and baked cat. The Weather report might as well be a fucking recording – hot and sunny. Hot and sunny, Hot and fucking sunny. It’s been too hot to do anything for 2 bleeding months and the weatherman says it might really warm up next week. Fuck!!
**November 15:** Doesn’t it ever rain in this darn place? Water restrictions will be next, so my R5,000 worth of palms might just dry up and blow into the fucking pool. The only things that thrive in this hell-hole are the fucking flies. You don’t dare open your mouth for fear of swallowing half a dozen of the little buzzards!
**November 20:** Welcome to HELL! It got to 45 degrees today. Now the air conditioner is gone in my car. The repair man came to fix it and said, ‘Hot enough for you today?’ I wanted to shove the car up his backside. Anyway, had to spend the R2,500 of the mortgage payment to bail me out of jail for assaulting the stupid fool. Fucking PHALABORWA! What kind of sick, demented idiot would want to live here!
**December 1:** WHAT!!!! The FIRST day of Summer!!!!
You are fucking kidding me, right?