News24 reports that commuters in Cape Town, already in the midst of a bus strike, had to contend with a near breakdown of train services on Friday morning after Metrorail announced massive delays across its network.  

The company said there were delays of more than 60 minutes on all lines heading into Cape Town, due to a signal failure between the Cape Town, Mutual/Pinelands/Observatory and the Ysterplaat lines.  It advised commuters to make alternative travel arrangements, but commuters were contending with Day 3 of a national bus strike that has left thousands stranded and minibus taxis strained to cater for the increased travel load.  Mayoral committee member for transport Brett Herron highlighted the difficulties commuters faced and said:  "We urge parties to the passenger bus bargaining process to work extra hard to find agreement.  In the long term we must get rail back on track.  It is by far the most efficient means of providing affordable access and mobility."  On Wednesday, Transport Minster Blade Nzimande lambasted the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) for its failure to commuters.

• Read this report by Duncan Alfreds in full at News24

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