Questions around physical fit of new trains
While there were many wins for the economy coming out of the Gibela Rail train manufacturing plant in Nigel, questions remain around what was being done to ensure a physical fit for new trains which are too low for current railway station platforms.
“The Gibela Rail Transport Consortium has to deliver 600 new X’Ttrapolis Mega trains [3 600 cars] to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa [Prasa] in a R59 billion deal signed in 2014,” said Gibela chief executive Hector Danisa.
In a presentation, Danisa said more than 55 trains have been delivered to Prasa so far, as per their 10-year contract, with 40 trains manufactured locally and 20 imported from Brazil.
Danisa said the aim was to produce three trains a month and in March 2022, they will be aiming for four trains a month.
Gauteng premier David Makhura said that this was part of a plan to “retire old trains” and deliver 600 “mega trains” over 10 years.
“The activities of this factory have added R8.1 billion to the economy of Ekurhuleni and the Gauteng city region’s GDP,” Makhura said.
However the question remained.
With so many “state-of-theart trains” in production, where will they be deployed if the infrastructure, especially in Gauteng, remained in its current state?
Infrastructure vandalism, looting and theft of electrical still lines and electrical substations, and cable theft have rendered Metrorail’s electric trains useless, as more than 20 stations and routes, including Kliptown, Jeppe, Germiston, Chiawelo, Midway, Knights, Jeppe, Residensia, Randfontein, Naledi and Doornfontein have not been operational for some time.
This was the question of many commuters who were surprised that railway platforms, especially in Gauteng, have not yet been fixed, but a number of trains are still being produced.
However, Makhura would not take questions and disappeared, citing an “important meeting”.
Prasa was unable to respond by the time of going to print.
Its response will be published once it is received.
Meanwhile, Makhura said that he was happy that steps were taken at national level by the department of transport to strengthen Prasa.
This would also ensure that Prasa focused on delivering efficient, affordable, safe, reliable and modern passenger rail services.
“We are interested in the modernisation of the public transport system in order to enhance smart mobility and efficient movement of people,” said Makhura.
“The establishment of the Gauteng Transport Authority is taking us closer to the single, integrated, very reliable, safe and affordable public transport system across the Gauteng city region.
“I wish to reiterate the commitment that Gauteng will have a single ticket for all modes of transport by the end of this financial year.
“The Gauteng Transport Authority should concentrate on working closely with Prasa and start to add value in the improvement of the operations of Metro Rail services across the city region.”