People’s Train transforms commuter transport
With a top speed of 160km/h, the newly launched People’s Train is already changing lives
Travelling at a top speed of 160 kilometres an hour and equipped with modern on-board facilities such as wifi and ergonomic seats, the new People's Train will ensure the hardworking people of South
Africa get to work on time.
Every day thousands of hardworking South Africans rely on trains to get them to their jobs. These journeys can be hugely frustrating, as ageing rail infrastructure and out-dated locomotives cause frequent breakdowns that make commuters late for work.
As a government who cares for its people, we could not allow this untenable situation, one that jeopardised the livelihood and safety of our citizens, to continue. Government has listened to commuters and taken action, through the state-owned Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa.
We can now proudly assure rail commuters that the days of unreliable train transport will be something of the past.The new People's Train, recently launched by President Jacob Zuma, is a system of state-of-the-art passenger trains set to revolutionise the way commuters travel.
“The investment in this modernisation programme by government will ensure that we change the rail landscape of our country,” President Zuma said.
“The new trains have key features designed for both safety and passenger comfort.”
Passengers travelling between the Pretoria and Pienaarspoort stations will be the first to enjoy the state-ofthe-art trains. They are equipped with air conditioning, ergonomic seats, real-time on-board information and wifi access. Over time, this Metrorail Commercialised Full Train Service will be rolled out in other parts of the country.
The People's Train also operates with greater efficiency, carrying more than 1 300 passengers and travelling at a top speed of 160 kilometres an hour. This means the trip between Atteridgeville and Pretoria central will be shortened from the current hour to just 20 minutes.
Dismantling the legacy of apartheid
The investment in the new passenger trains will go a long way to reversing the under-investment in infrastructure during apartheid, which lies at the root of our current rail transport challenges.
In the late 1980s the country saw funds for capital improvements diverted to prop up the failing apartheid system. New rail investment was slashed. Expenditure on fixed assets fell from R1.4 billion in 1986 to R699 million in 1988.
The lack of investment led to a steady deterioration in passenger rail services, while freight rail lost market share to road transport. This legacy has been difficult and costly to dismantle.
As a country continually building on its achievements over the past 23 years
we have moved into a stronger position to redress some of the imbalances created by apartheid. We are taking action to move public transport forward.
Major investments
The launch of the new trains are part of a larger plan to revitalise the country's entire rail infrastructure, and one of the world's biggest rail projects. It includes modernising train stations and depots, and upgrading signalling overhead lines, railway tracks and platforms.
We are investing R51 billion in the new top-class trains and R4-billion in new hybrid locomotives. Our total investment in the modernisation of passenger rail infrastructure and services will amount to R173 billion.
Importantly, the rail revitalisation programme is also about contributing to economic development. We are also ensuring, through localisation, that South African companies benefit from the revival of the rail industry.
For example, our new train factory in Ekurhuleni, built at an investment of R1 billion, firmly positions South Africa as the manufacturing hub of rolling stock on the African continent.
The project has created more than 1 000 jobs, with
7 000 more in the pipeline. It has also strengthened the engineering sector through localisation and enhanced our research and training capabilities.
Our investment in rail infrastructure is prioritised because it will become the backbone of our passenger transport system. Our Public Transport Strategy details the country's move towards a highquality Integrated Rapid Transport Network, which will include taxis and buses, with rail at its heart.
Commuter responsibility
Government is confident that our investment in the sector will restore our passenger train services to the highest level of safety and reliability.
While commuters enjoy the comfort and reliability of the new trains, there is a greater responsibility to look after it so that future generations can benefit from the new infrastructure. We must take a stand against acts of vandalism and the burning of trains. These serious crimes are simply unacceptable.
At the launch of the People's Train, President Zuma encouraged commuters to report people who burn trains, steal cables or do anything else that undermines efforts of improving the quality of life of citizens.
When issues of concern do arise or commuters are unhappy with the service they receive, let us work together and constructively engage each other towards a solution.
Keep a look out on the horizon for one of our new improved trains – affirming our country's reputation as a great place to live, work and invest.
“Our new R1 billion train factory in Ekurhuleni firmly positions South Africa as the manufacturing hub of
rolling stock in Africa.”