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DA: Metrorail Kwazulu Natal vandalism not a surprise

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DA: Metrorail Kwazulu Natal vandalism not a surprise

DA: Metrorail Kwazulu Natal vandalism not a surprise
Photo by Duane Daws

25th September 2018

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/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The vandalism that took place on Friday on Metrorail Kwazulu Natal infrastructure must be absolutely condemned. However, this attack on Metrorail does not come as a surprise or out of the blue. For months now commuters travelling on Metrorail on routes in Kwazulu Natal have complained daily about the lack of, and shoddy, service dished out to commuters. The hundreds of emails in which I am copied clearly display the contempt that PRASA (Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa) officials have for commuters, the very people they are supposed to serve.

The Crossmore – Durban line is a classic example. Every day trains arrive late. In most cases they are over an hour late! I personally joined commuters on that route trying to get to their places of work early one morning in July. What I saw was nothing short of shocking! Trains were late. Commuters felt unsafe and in danger and were treated with complete disrespect and contempt.

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The busiest and most important morning train that is traditionally used the most, namely the 07h00 has been cancelled without explanation. When I took this train it would take an average of 45 minutes from Crossmore to Durban. Now the same journey takes 70 to 90 minutes as the train travels an average of under 20 km/hr. Again no explanation has been forthcoming from PRASA. Commuter forums are simply ignored by PRASA.

To date PRASA has done little to improve on this situation. Attempts by commuters to interact with PRASA falls on deaf ears. The irony is that PRASA has returned money to Treasury allocated for infrastructure. Finances are thus not the problem.

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My interactions with train commuters have shown me that generally they have been understanding and patient with Metrorail however, I suspect that their patience may have run out as the attack on infrastructure on Friday has shown.

I will be writing to the personal ultimately responsible for this, the Minister of Transport, Minister Blade Nzibande asking him what he intends doing about changing this perilous situation particular in Kwazulu Natal. This situation simply cannot continue like this!

 

Issued by DA

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