Question NW2081 to the Minister of Transport

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12 July 2018 - NW2081

Profile picture: Matsepe, Mr CD

Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)(a) On what date was the last meeting between (i) his department, (ii) the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and/or (iii) Metrorail with the City of Cape Town or the Western Cape Government held to discuss possible new or extended train routes in the Western Cape Metrorail system, (b) what are the details of each person who attended the meeting, (c) which possible new routes were discussed and (d) did the meeting discuss the routes connecting (i) the greater Khayelitsha area and Belville, (ii) the Cape Town International Airport, (iii) Fisantekraal and (iv) Paarl, Wellington or Worcester; (2) whether plans have been in place to have another meeting between his department and the City of Cape Town or the Western Cape Government to discuss proposed new train routes in Cape Town or the Western Cape to alleviate congestion; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1)(a)(ii) The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) participated in the development of the Integrated Public Transport Network Plan for the City of Cape Town. The role of rail, including the future rail corridors, are contained in the plan. These deliberations took place through project specific meetings at the time and continues to be discussed, among other matters, at the formal transport planning structures of the City, i.e. the Intermodal Planning Committee (IPC) and associated Sub-Committees. The previous two IPC meetings were held on 13 April 2018 and 22 June 2018 subsequently.

(1)(b) The PRASA and Metrorail members of the IPC meeting are :

  • Mr Hishaam Emeran, PRASA Corporate Office, General Manager: Strategic Network Planning
  • Mr Richard Walker, Metrorail – Western Cape, Regional Manager

(1)(c) All known future rail expansion opportunities have been discussed between the City and PRASA during its interactions. The highest priority in terms of rail network/ service expansion has been agreed as follows:

  • Blue Downs Rail Link
  • Fisantekraal Rail Corridor
  • Atlantis Rail Corridor

(1)(d)(i) Yes, referred to as the Blue Downs Rail Link, see (1)(c). Detailed discussions between the City and PRASA is ongoing, as this project is due to commence with the preliminary design and environmental assessment phase as the next step.

(1)(d)(ii) Yes, The Cape Town Airport Rail Link is captured in the Memorandum of Action agreement between the City and PRASA. It has been agreed that the parties work together to explore alternative financial models for projects such as this one.

(1)(d)(iii) Yes, see (1)(c)

(1)(d)(iv) Existing services are provided to Paarl, Wellington and Worcester. The future plans will include measures aimed at improving travel time and frequencies along these corridors once the train fleet has increased and stabilised.

(2) As alluded to above, discussions on future rail planning is ongoing between the City and PRASA through the IPC structures and / or project specific committees. The last IPC meeting was scheduled for the 22 June 2018.

 

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