Question NW948 to the Minister of Transport
25 April 2018 - NW948
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to his reply to question 455 on 13 March 2018, (a) why was information prior to the 2017 calendar year on planned maintenance not recorded, (b) what is being done to reduce the number of breakdowns and (c) what alternative technology to copper cables are being considered?
Reply:
a) Following an investigation into the reason for the absence of records for planned maintenance prior to 2017, it was discovered that these reports are in fact available in the Infrastructure Maintenance System. Attached, please find the requested reports.
b) As part of PRASA’s Modernisation Programme, PRASA is in the process of replacing the old signalling system through a national re-signalling programme. However, the impact of this programme has been hampered by the high levels of vandalism and cable theft in specific areas.
c) The current re-signalling program aims to minimize the use of copper cables in the rail network and optic fibre is preferred where ever possible e.g. communication between relay rooms (Main to Sub relay rooms). Unfortunately, power cables remain copper from the relay rooms to the signal apparatuses itself. These copper cables are concealed with a double layer of concrete to protect the cable from pilferage. Alternative technologies are vigorously pursued and innovations/developments in this area are closely monitored.