Last Laugh

ment in strategic areas on the network. This will obviate the need for speed restrictions, improving punctuality. The intensified rolling stock maintenance programme will improve reliability, and manage obsolete components and technology to further reduce the impact of in-service failures.

The operation of an antiquated rail service hinges primarily on the affordability of its main cost drivers – human capital, maintenance and energy. Service provision in its current form is human resource hungry and reliant and bargained salary increases compete successfully with the prevailing inflation rate. Electricity is costly for well-known reasons.

In the absence of appropriate new technology, the replacement cost of obsolete components prone to frequent failure and with long lead times to replace is costly. These components are without fail not off the shelf items, must be sourced elsewhere or custom-made at high cost.

While the fare box contributes to the operational sustainability users seek, the capital injection will accelerate the infrastructural improvements required to bring the service back to previous levels.

Operational sustainability hinges on the effective maintenance of the existing ailing asset base until sufficient new trains and infrastructure are introduced.

Without annual fare adjustments, the train service would simply deteriorate faster. Insufficient operational funding will force some services to be rationalised.

This would have a double impact on rail commuters – not only will they be required to fork out more of their disposable income on more expensive transport, but, as taxpayers, foot the bill of higher transport subsidies of other public transport modes.

Once rationalised, service reinstatement is difficult and costly to achieve.

Commuters rightly deserve reassurance that their train service can be sustained and improved. Commuters clamour for more security (increasing Prasa’s wage bill), more ticket verifiers (more wages) which in turn increases the pressure on an already stretched budget, cross-funded by a diminishing government subsidy. As Prasa’s capital injection increases, the introduction of technology will reduce the need for an escalating operational subsidy.

In the interest of the city’s public transport future, commuters, public transport partners and communities must collaborate to endure short term pain for longer term gain. The alternative is unthinkable and a disservice to this province, this country and this continent.

RichardWalkeristheWesternCaperegionalmanagerofMetrorail. A Karoo farmer was visiting Israel and met an Israeli farmer who offered to show him his little farm.

“Over here I plant my tomatoes and in that corner I grow spinach,” said the Israeli. “Behind the dog kennel is my patch of potatoes.”

“You mean this is your entire farm?” said the visitor. “Back in the Karoo I can drive my bakkie for three hours and still not be halfway across my farm.”

“Ah yes,” said the Israeli. “I once had a car like that too.”