Pretoria News reports that the Passenger Railway Agency of SA (Prasa) is hoping to regain the trust of commuters in Mabopane when limited train services resume on Tuesday.  

Prasa is also hoping that vandalism will end.  Commuters have waited more than nine months for services to resume.  Prasa stopped the service because of safety concerns following severe vandalism.  Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said they were insourcing security to protect assets, staff and commuters.  In adherence to Covid-19 regulations, the trains would only load 70% of total capacity to allow for physical distancing.  Mofokeng advised further:  “The first-come, first-serve rule will apply.  In addition, train services will only operate during morning peak – 5am to 9am – and afternoon peak hours (3pm to 7pm).”  She urged commuters to adhere to the lockdown regulations and said commuters would be expected to wear masks at all times and maintain physical distancing.  Prasa will be using diesel locomotives and for safety reasons and because of the severe impact of theft and vandalism, trains will not be stopping at all stations.  Plans are at an advanced stage for a limited train service in Saulsville to resume operations on 16 November.  Prasa has asked commuters and the community to “be patient and understanding during this time” as it works around the clock to repair stations to acceptable standards.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhile Ndlazi at Pretoria News
• See too, Metrorail announces limited train service in Pretoria, at The Citizen

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page