Prasa’s decline shows need for devolution

A STATISTICAL release by StatsSA has uncovered the true depths of decline at the Passenger Rrial Agency of South Africa (Prasa).

In a series of graphs generated by GroundUp from Prasa’s financials, the tale of failure, corruption, mismanagement, and cadre deployment at the rail agency is exposed, as well as the impact it has had on commuters.

In the space of 13 years, Prasa’s fare collection dramatically declined by more than 80%, from R1.2 billion in fares in 2008 to a pitiful R178 million in 2021. This coincides with the decrease in commuters making use of rail services. GroundUp’s analysis of the report found that the average number of commuters per month plummeted from an average of 54 million passengers in the 2008/09 reporting period to an average of 1.7 million passengers between January 2021 and July 2022.

The reason for this decline in commuters is primarily due to the unavailability of trains in communities, but engagements with communities have also revealed that many South Africans have simply lost faith in having access to reliable and efficient rail services.

It is clear that under the ANC national government, commuter rail services are on a steady and continual decline, if not already collapsed. The national Department of Transport is simply incapable of maintaining rail infrastructure or providing safe, efficient, uninterrupted rail services.

During the Covid-19 lockdown, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula effectively dealt a death blow to commuter rail services and has since failed to completely resuscitate them.

South Africans are desperate for rail services, however the national government simply cannot fix trains. This is why the DA in the Western Cape has pushed for the devolution of train management to capable sub-national governments. Acting on these appeals can go a long way in encouraging engagement among provincial and local spheres of government across the nation to find viable solutions to the country’s rail crisis.

Provincial and local governments are more directly connected with residents, and these spheres are more knowledgeable about the required strategies and collaboration that is necessary to make the absolute cheapest mode of transportation an option for every South African.

Earlier this year, the City of Cape Town announced it would embark on a feasibility study on the possibility of devolution of train management to ultimately fully bring trains back to the metro. This shows that local governments are eager and willing to deliver effective public transport services to their residents.

Through the devolution of rail power, capable and stable sub-national governments will be able to oversee this crucial public service without the constraints of a national government that lacks the political will, and is disconnected from the needs of our communities.

RICARDO MACKENZIE | DA MPP