How to fix train woes

THROUGH this letter to you, I hope to initiate a project that will either eradicate or alleviate most of the problems experienced on Cape Town’s central railway lines.

I wish to propose to the authorities and stakeholders through accepted processes that the current Central railway line be replaced by properly regulated taxi/bus services.

I suggest that a broad public participation exercise be entered into.

The present infrastructure should be removed and the usable assets and staff should be transferred and utilised in other areas experiencing a shortage of “rail” resources. The railway line runs through areas prone to poverty and criminal activities.

It has become common knowledge that the infrastructure cannot be maintained and safeguarded by the current owners, resulting in poor or no services rendered in terms of rail transport. The owners of the land should consider transferring the land to the City of Cape Town.

The City of Cape Town should, through the use of a long-term loan, finance the building of double-lane roads where the railway used to be.

The current rail stations may serve as drop-off/collection points offering controlled and secured parking.

Much-needed improved service delivery, job creation and distribution of wealth are some of the advantages.

The regulators of the alternative system should impose a “charge” on the price of tickets.

These charges may be used to finance the loan, thereby not burdening the taxpayer. Robert Schultz Cape Town