Question NW1330 to the Minister of Transport

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03 September 2020 - NW1330

Profile picture: Hunsinger, Mr CH

Hunsinger, Mr CH to ask the Minister of Transport

With reference to the readiness to commence with Metrorail services from 1 July 2020 as he confirmed (a) which rail lines and/or sections will be prioritised and ready for use, (b) what are the reasons for excluding other rail sections from being prioritised and ready for use and (c) what cost is associated with bringing the excluded rail sections into full service including the (i) distances in kilometres for each excluded section and (ii) number of commuters using each excluded rail section?

Reply:

a) The following rail lines will be prioritized and ready for use:

  1. Gauteng: Pretoria – Pienaarspoort
  2. Western Cape: Southern Corridor (Cape Town – Retreat)
  3. Eastern Cape: East London – Berlin
  4. Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth – Uitenhage

The reason for excluding other rail sections from being prioritized and ready for use are:

(i) To reduce the spread of the virus by introducing limited services and then gradually increase services with time;

(ii) During lockdown, theft and vandalism continued within the network system and with theextent of damages, it is going to take longer to repair those lines with severe damages; and

(iii) Resuming with few lines provides the business the opportunity to learn how to handle passengers under COVID-19 before extending services to other lines.

c) The cost associated with bringing the excluded rail sections into full service includes COVID-19 Safety Equipment of R30 million, Security Costs of R300 million, Infrastructure (OHTE, Signals, Perway, Tele-Comms) of R301 million and Stations Costs of R9million of which:

(i) distances in kilometers for each excluded section are:

  • Umlazi – Durban – Kwamashu 61,37km
  • Naledi – Johannesburg 29,87km
  • Leralla – Johannesburg 47,48km
  • Western Cape – Northern Corridor 11,38km
  • Crossmoor – Merebank 13,50km
  • Umkomaas – Durban 83,26km

(ii) The number of commuters using each excluded rail section are:

  • Umlazi – Durban – Kwamashu 31,471
  • Naledi – Johannesburg 158,373
  • Leralla – Johannesburg 118,895
  • Western Cape – Northern Corridor 15,153
  • Crossmoor – Merebank 12,383
  • Umkomaas – Durban 15,253

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