This week, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy provided an update that has been awaited for some time regarding the situation of PRASA trains. During a parliamentary Q&A session, she noted that the lack of usage of PRASA trains is largely due to ongoing destruction, theft, and vandalism affecting essential infrastructure.
Since her administration began, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has allocated R2.5 billion to upgrade the aging PRASA train fleet. Internally dubbed ‘grey-and-yellow rolling stock,’ the budget for the General Overhaul Project stands at R7.5 billion.
INOPERABLE PRASA TRAINS
Nevertheless, the PRASA indicated that refurbishment of railway lines is still necessary to allow the old fleet to operate, as reported by IOL. Some older PRASA trains have been observed in rural locales within the Eastern and Western Cape.
“The older fleet is optimally utilized in corridors situated mainly outside major urban areas, which are predominantly owned by Transnet. Meanwhile, the new fleet (blue-and-white rolling stock) operates within the primary metropolitan areas. As such, we are in talks with Transnet regarding the restoration of these external lines,” explained Creecy.
HOW MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT?
Earlier in the year, the Portfolio Committee on Transport stated that an additional R5 billion is required for the ongoing project. Minister Creecy disclosed that 272 coaches have already undergone refurbishment, and an additional 183 coaches are slated for upgrades. Furthermore, the department is evaluating whether to utilize these coaches internally or potentially lease them to private enterprises as a component of its rail reform strategy.
However, during the Q&A session, the minister made another startling revelation. She indicated that the rail agency is ‘seeking legal advice’ concerning terminating contracts related to the remaining refurbishment project. “No determinations have been finalized that would affect our overarching objectives of establishing a dependable, cost-effective, and easily accessible public rail system,” Creecy concluded.
