Metrorail modernisation project is well under way in Cape
WE UNDERSTAND your concern expressed in the (Wednesday, January 9) Cape Argus editorial and would like to provide a regional perspective.
This region is the only Metrorail region with 80% of its entire current network under automated control. The system is controlled through a centralised train control system currently housed near Goodwood.
The national re-signalling project is part of Prasa’s Rail Modernisation Programme to replace obsolete rail infrastructure and outdated rail technology. Government-guaranteed funding of R172 billion has been made available to correct the impact of the disinvestment in rail since the mid-80s over the next two decades.
The regional re-signalling project is well under way and being tackled in logical phases. To date, almost the entire southern and Cape Flats lines have been completed, as well as half of Cape Town Station.
The new regional nerve centre in Bellville, from where the modern re-signalled system will be controlled, is already completed.The Simon’s Town-Wynberg, Newlands-Salt River and Hazendal-Koeberg sections have been commissioned and are operational.
The Cape Town-Woodstock section is complete, including Cape Town Station platforms 13-23.
Platforms 1-6 and 24 will be done within the next few weeks. Thereafter, Bay Junction and the section between Woltemade-Parow, Bellville and the Kuils River-Koelenhof-Strand sections will follow.
The central area, as the busiest line, was designated to be modernised first. However, due to the devastating impact of vandalism and theft in Bontheuwel-Netreg-Nyanga triangle, only two out of four lines remain operable. This is the reason for the hourly frequency of trains with running times in excess of 60 minutes.
Not wanting to defer the roll-out of the re-signalling project, the region opted to continue re-signalling as much of the network as possible until the enclosure of the operating tunnel in central line is complete.
The erection of a two-metre-high reinforced concrete wall on the either side of the tracks is already under way – in total, 30km length will be walled at an estimated cost of R68m.
Some portions of the central and northern lines are operated under manual authorisation due to vandalism and in these areas, the regional contingency plan kicks into fail-safe mode with four safety checks.
We value our commuters, employees and fleet, and therefore we operate at all times with their safety in mind. When we suspend services temporarily, it is to ensure that trains operate safely.