Many want train service to resume

I READ with interest the article, “Commuters hopeful train service will be restored” (the POST, April 28-May 2).

I am 62 years old and live in Westcliff, Chatsworth. I have been travelling by train for more than 30 years.

As a commuter, I paid R171 per month for my train travel. I am now paying close to R1 300 per month in transport costs.

However, what you heard from those interviewed, Pearl Reddy and Ashlyn, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Prior to the lockdown, the service was beyond poor. Commuters who travelled between Chatsworth and Durban and vice versa, had to sometimes contend with one or two trains.

The reason given by Prasa (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) was that cables were stolen or the train was faulty due to age.

Ideas were given on how to relieve this problem but I don’t think they were considered.

Trains from Chatsworth were always removed and given to the other areas.

As a result, the commuters were left stranded or they had to wait up to two hours for a train.

If the train in Chatsworth operated as those in other areas, we would have had a 15- to 20-minute interval between trains instead of 40 minutes and more.

I have sent emails to different contacts at Prasa's office in KwaZulu-Natal. They always responded that they were trying to resolve the matter.

I also sent emails to the Department of Transport.

I work at the Durban station complex and it was and still is convenient for me to travel by train.

Many commuters lost their jobs because of the poor train services but many still look forward to its return.