A Metrorail Class 5M2A electric multiple unit near Kalk Bay station on the Metrorail Western Cape Southern Line. Photo: Ben Crouch
The City will meet with role-players from the private sector, business leaders, and other interested and affected parties to devise short-term interventions to current rail challenges. The meeting, which will be hosted by the Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA), forms part of the City’s efforts to ease the pressure faced by commuters while it works towards the incremental takeover of the urban rail function.
Cape train commute stressful and degrading
Brett Herron, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, says commuting by train in Cape Town is stressful and degrading. Herron took the Metrorail Northern line in December to experience what the conditions are like for commuters who travel between the northern suburbs and Cape Town station. “Those making use of Metrorail literally have to fight their way in and out of the carriages every day. Commuting by train in Cape Town is stressful and degrading – you are exhausted once you reach your destination and then you still have to work an eight-hour day,” he explains.
“We simply cannot allow commuters to be subjected to these inhumane conditions indefinitely. Thus, I have decided to call for a rail summit where we all have to gather and work on a crisis plan to address the most pressing issues as a matter of urgency,” Herron notes.
A better understanding
Herron says he plans to take senior business leaders with him on Metrorail’s Central Line so that they too can see what their employees face day after day. “I am hoping that once business leaders have personally experienced the rail commute they will have a better understanding of what we are facing and what we can do to address the most pressing issues while the City is working on the longer-term strategy of taking over the urban rail function.” He adds that it may take at least another 24 months before the City can take over some of the functions that are currently being managed by Metrorail.
