Question NW108 to the Minister of Transport
26 March 2024 - NW108
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)(a) For how long has the Daveyton Train Station been inactive and (b) what are the reasons that the station is inactive; (2) whether any resources have been allocated to ensure that the station is not subjected to further vandalism; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) what destinations could commuters travel to by train from Daveyton Train Station before it was de-activated and (b) what did it cost commuters to travel to the specified destinations; (4) whether the specified routes were profitable; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) (a) Daveyton Train Station has been non-operational since Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 to date.
(b) The station is still currently non-operational due to the severity of the theft and vandalism that occurred during Covid-19, with the station building’s rails, steel steps, doors, roof sheets, station gates, as well as overhead wires, signalling equipment, and all other equipment for basic functionality completely vandalised. However, the Rebuild and Recovery Programme for the Daveyton line is in progress, with the station scheduled to be open in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
(2) There are two (2) security guards deployed for each shift at the Daveyton Station for 24 hours and two (2) security guards deployed to guard the Relay Room, which is situated within the vicinity of the Station.
(3) (a) Commuters could travel from Daveyton to Johannesburg Park Station via Germiston Junction and nineteen (19) stations in between. The line offered critical junctions like Dunswart, where commuters could connect from the far east of the Springs and Germiston Junction / Station.
(b) The ticket prices were zonal with a minimum cost of R7-50 to a maximum of R12-50 for a single trip. Monthly tickets were selling at a minimum of R142-00 to a maximum of R252-00. However, it should be noted that Prasa has not yet provided for weekly and monthly ticket sales.
(4) Daveyton is one of the seven (7) ‘Supercore’ stations out of fifty-two (52) stations in the Eastern Corridor. The routes, as mentioned in 3(a) was profitable, generating a revenue of around R24 million per year, with around 1,2 million tickets sold/issued.