Rail uncertainty over permits

THE future of train commuters continues to hang in the balance, as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) and the Rail Safety Regulator (RSR) go to court on Thursday over the suspension of safety permits.

The RSR suspended Prasa’s safety permit following an accident in Gauteng last week.

RSR spokesperson Madelein Williams said Prasa cannot demonstrate that it has the ability, commitment and resources to properly assess and effectively control the risks arising from its railway operations.

“Prasa was afforded 48 hours to wrap up its operations and to inform all its customers, employees and contractors of the RSR’s decision to suspend its permit.”

Prasa approached the courts for an interim order to lift the suspension.

“The decision by the Prasa Board and management to approach the courts was not arrived at lightly. Prasa sought to engage RSR to reconsider its decision and rather confine the suspension to the corridor when the accident took place,” said Prasa spokesperson Nana Zenani.

Prasa group chief executive Sibusiso Sithole said the suspension would not apply until the court process was finalised. He said there was “sufficient time to take stock on the progress made in the implementation of the RSR Safety Conditions”.

Unite Behind, a civil organisation calling on Transport Minister Blade Nzimande to declare Metrorail’s system a national disaster have weighed in, saying: “We need qualified registered security in Cape Town and the rest of the country, not a suspension of service. Commuters in Cape Town need a running rail service as there are no affordable alternatives. That need informs our belief that the service should not be suspended unless a system-wide infrastructure failure has been identified.

“We need a safe, reliable and affordable public transport system and commuter rail must be the backbone of our system.”

Commuters in Cape Town need a running rail service as there are no affordable alternatives

Unite Behind

Civil organisation