Metrorail’s Central line remains shut
ENGINEERS working to restore Metrorail services on the Central line have found that additional infrastructure has been damaged, further hampering their efforts to restore services.
Metrorail said it took the decision to suspend operations after numerous incidents of vandalism, cable theft and destruction of critical infrastructure in the Bonteheuwel, Netreg and Nyanga areas.
Metrorail spokesperson Riana Scott said: “At this stage Metrorail is unable to confirm when services will be able to resume.”
She said technical teams continued working day and night to fix, assess and test “as they repair and will continue to do so until the system can be declared operationally safe to accommodate safe train operations”.
Train stations will remain closed until further notice and tickets will be on sale. Scott said commuters in possession of monthly tickets may continue to utilise Golden Arrow Bus Services during off-peak hours.
“The public is encouraged to report any crimes or suspicious activity,” she added.
There is a standing reward of “up to R25 000 payable for any information leading to a conviction, and full anonymity of the information sources is guaranteed”.
Sonja Carstens, spokesperson for the United National Transport Union, said: “We are very sorry about this difficult impact on commuters.
“The longer the line is closed, the more damage their will be. The railway system is a national asset and we must protect it. This is a form of transport for the poorest of the poor.
“The suspension has a devastating effect on our members as well. For as long as the Central line is suspended, it is eating on the salary increase our members would enjoy,” said Carstens.
Commuter Asavela Mgqweto, from Philippi, said: “We feel helpless and not taken care of by Metrorail.”
Meanwhile, a Golden Arrow bus driver was injured when the bus he was driving was petrolbombed in Philippi during a service delivery protest yesterday. The protest led to the closure of Symphony Way and Stock Road, said the City’s director for safety and security, Richard Bosman.