Reply:

 

The eThekwini Rolling Stock fleet has been severely affected by the following:

• Theft and vandalism;
• Old railway lines affecting the condition of the rolling stock wheels.

The above mentioned resulted in the loss of coaches which could not be recovered through internal maintenance processes.

PRASA has appointed a panel of external service providers for a period of 36 months through a Maintenance Support Contract to assist with the recovery of coaches as well as reliability improvement which will result in the functionality of trains.

In addition, PRASA is also concluding the procurement of Mission Critical Components contract, which will also improve the availability of spares and sustainability of rolling stock.

With regards to infrastructure, rehabilitation work is planned for the Durban-KwaMashu line as follows:

• Substation rehabilitation
• Rehabilitation of the Over Head Tract Equipment (OHTE) system\Replace stolen signalling equipment
• Track rehabilitation\installation of backup fibre
• Bridges project
• Station rehabilitation

Infrastructure work on the Durban-Umlazi lines will cover the following:

• Substation rehabilitation
• Tunnels rehabilitation
• Signalling rehabilitation
• Perway rehabilitation
• Installation
• Bridges rehabilitation
• Station rehabilitation