Central line remains closed, more damage discovered

AS ENGINEERS were busy with repair work on the Central railway line they discovered additional infrastructural damage, which hampered their recovery efforts to reinstate services. Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said Metrorail is unable to say when services will resume.

“We are unable to give a date for when the line will be operational and this means there is more work to be done. Technical teams continue to work 24/7 to fix, assess and test as they repair and will continue to do so until the sy stem can be declared operationally safe to accommodate safe train operations,” she said.

All stations from Chris Hani to Mitchells Plain will remain closed. Commuters in possession of monthly tickets may continue to utilise Golden Arrow buses outbound from Cape Town after 6.30pm and inbound from 8.30am.

United National Transport Union spokesperson Sonja Carstens said the closure of the line will continue to have a hard impact on commuters.

“We cannot rush and fix things as the damages are extensive but the longer the line is closed the more damage there will be. It is time for people to realise this is our national asset and form of transport to the poorest of the poor. The suspension also affects Metrorail as this is the busiest line and they make a profit.”

Nyanga, Pinelands and Bonteheuwel electricity sub-stations were among those that were stripped of cables.

Commuters who did not have a chance to buy monthly tickets before the Central line suspension are in a tough position.

“On Monday we thought we were going to hear a positive update, but these criminals who are not thinking about us keep on vandalising. I was in the Eastern Cape when this whole thing happened and when I came back I was told the line was suspended. So using a taxi is expensive for me because I was told only people who had bought a monthly ticket can use the bus,” commuter Zodwa Mjongeni said.

The public is encouraged to report any crimes and suspicious activity. Full anonymity is guaranteed. There is up to R25 000 reward for any information leading to a conviction, according to Metrorail.