After close to four years of no movement on railways in the greater Stellenbosch area, the train service is expected to return by the end of January.
This expected reinstatement of train operations to the area was confirmed by Zinobulali Mihi, provincial spokesperson for Metrorail and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), who confirmed last week that technical teams are currently working on the railway lines between Stellenbosch and Du Toit stations.
An estimated 60 000 commuters per month were affected by the suspension of services on the Stellenbosch railway network, she said.
“The train service on the Stellenbosch line was suspended due to major vandalism during the hard lockdown in 2020,” Mihi explained. “A total of five railway stations – Lynedoch, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch, Du Toit and Koelenhof – were affected by the suspension.”
The reported vandalism to the facilities and its infrastructure included, among others, damage to the overhead traction equipment, rail tracks, substations and station facilities.
“Perway and rail infrastructure work needs to be conducted on this line to ensure that trains can operate safely,” Mihi explained. “Various teams will execute infrastructure recovery, followed by the Rail Safety Regulator’s (RSR) inspection before the service will recommence.”
News of the service’s return has been met with mixed reactions from long-time commuters, who were forced to seek alternative modes of transport as a result of the train service’s suspension.
Khayamandi resident Vuyisile Gcikela, a train commuter since 2008, is looking forward to the service’s reinstatement, saying he would “most definitely” be using the trains on their return. Before the Covid-19 pandemic he travelled daily from Du Toit to Eerste River railway station for work.
“It was my choice of transport, as it was much cheaper than travelling by taxi or my own vehicle,” Gcikela pointed out. “During the suspension, commuting became very expensive and I was forced to request to work-from-home for two days a week. I am looking forward to the return of trains; hopefully they will be in better condition than before and there will be fewer delays.”
Anesipho Mdinyelwa has less confidence in the reliability of the service and said he will not be returning as a commuter come next year. The Khayamandi resident had travelled daily from Du Toit to Cape Town station since 2013, initially as a student.
“It was my choice of public transport, because it was affordable and convenient. It also afforded me the chance to get in some extra sleep during the journey,” Mdinyelwa joked.
“When the service stopped, I had to use a bus or taxi to get to and from work. I am not as excited about the trains’ return, because I have become used to my current mode of transport. I don’t really have confidence in trains. I will be buying a car in January, so I doubt if I will ever go back to the train.”
Mihi could not provide a definite schedule of expected operations as yet. An exact date for the recommencement of services could also not be established.
