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| (Photo: X, formerly Twitter / @PRASA_Group) |
The Shosholoza Meyl has resumed long-distance passenger services in South Africa, but there have been numerous challenges facing the service. The APassenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) executive has warned that without a change in policy and the construction of a new train network dedicated to long-distance travel, trains will continue to experience delays or even never reach their destination. The executive cannot be named due to fear of reprisal but claims they cannot stand and watch as Prasa is blamed for all of SA's rail failures.
Rail expert Dylan Knott from African Railway Systems echoed this view, stating that the railway system needs an upgrade, as it is currently at full capacity. Most stations are closed, do not have enough locomotives, do not have enough crews, and tracks are not maintained properly. However, the construction of a new network is not possible due to the financial woes South Africa finds itself in.
The Shosholoza Meyl resumed operations again on 6 December, aiming to assist financially constrained travellers dealing with the expenses associated with long-distance travel. Many South Africans were excited for its return, as it costs less to travel via train. However, since the announcement of the return of the Shosholoza Meyl, there have been many difficulties facing the train service.
One of the challenges is the shortage of locomotives in South Africa, which could result in delays and cancellations of trips. Prasa operates the locomotives on a network owned and managed by Transnet Freight Rail, which is responsible for sending out technicians when there are issues like cable theft or rail network breakdowns. Transnet has been accused of prioritizing goods trains over commuters, which adds to journey time.
Safety and security remain another hurdle for Prasa. Trains are accompanied by security guards and at some stations by police, depending on the level of criminality areas experience. Prasa has had to increase the capacity of SAPS at one of the stations due to the level of criminality.
Infrastructure challenges impacting the return include the condition and quality of the infrastructure, which may impact the travel experience. It has been established through sources inside Prasa that trains cannot operate at full speed, as this would compromise the safety of commuters. Additionally, the controversial Afro 4000 locomotives would collapse the network.
Despite these challenges, Prasa remains committed to reviving the long-distance travel service.
Cable theft has significantly impacted the operations of the Shosholoza Meyl, a train service in Botswana. The network is unable to move safely due to low-hanging wires and vandalised cables, causing delays and disruptions. On 8 December, the Shosholoza Meyl's trip from Johannesburg to Cape Town was halted at Wellington Station due to the theft of overhead cables between Kaalfonten and Muldersvlei. The remaining 70km of the journey was completed by bus.
Rail expert Knott blames lack of maintenance on the network for the disruptions, as it prevents Prasa from running the train at full potential. This results in slower speeds and increased costs for machines and crews. Botswana has received unsolicited bids from investors to build a rail line to a Namibian port to avoid South Africa and its disintegrating logistics network.
Transnet denies giving preference to goods trains over passenger trains and states that passenger trains will always take priority over a goods train unless the goods train is on a line where movement of all trains is blocked. The Freight Rail Network is fully operational, and regular national shuts are budgeted for to maintain and service the network on an annual basis. Cable theft remains a challenge, and Transnet and Prasa continue to work with law enforcement agencies to curb this crime.
The Western Cape Provincial MEC of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, believes that to restore rail to its place as the backbone of public transport and the movement of goods within the province, the function must be devolved. He believes that the Western Cape Government would work collaboratively with the City of Cape Town and other municipalities to tackle key issues highlighted and restore rail to a safe, reliable, quality, and dignified service, with integration between rail and other modes of transport such as minibus taxis and buses.
The Shosholoza Meyl offers sitting economy tickets, tourist class tickets, and single economy and sleeper tickets.
