Passenger train options

R

Roman avril

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Sorry for l8 post. Let's talk about passenger trains locally
We only have blue train and rovos as the reliable ones but they expensive. Prasa shosholoza and Premier classe are very unreliable and dont always reach thier destinations

Why don't we have more rail options?
What would you need to be changed at prasa for you to use thier trains regularly?
If you decided to enter the market who would you target with your trains and why?
 
Roman avril said:
What would you need to be changed at prasa for you to use thier trains regularly?
Click to expand...
This comes to mind because it's a pretty big deal due to the laws of physics:

Spain investigates corrupt 'too-tall trains' sale, while SA has taken no action

The Spanish authorities are investigating corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). Meanwhile South African law enforcement – the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) – have taken no action for five years...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za

Also, thanks to inspector @Gordon_R the following info has also come to light:

Screenshot_20230212_202335.jpg
 
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Coz the Taxi Mafia Bosses destroy the trains forcing you to use the minibus taxis
Everyone knows that
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
Coz the Taxi Mafia Bosses destroy the trains forcing you to use the minibus taxis
Everyone knows that
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Those are commuter trains. I'm speaking long distances. And there's not much prasa can do about them cause they travel to townships. People there have tight budgets so buying new trains is not a good idea. They won't afford the higher ticket prices and will sneak into the station anyway
 
D said:
This comes to mind because it's a pretty big deal due to the laws of physics:

Spain investigates corrupt 'too-tall trains' sale, while SA has taken no action

The Spanish authorities are investigating corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). Meanwhile South African law enforcement – the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) – have taken no action for five years...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za

Also, thanks to inspector @Gordon_R the following info has also come to light:

View attachment 1474529
Click to expand...
Then we talk about why is there lack of options. Rovos rail is a private operator so we know its possible for private rail to exist. Is it not?
 
D said:
This comes to mind because it's a pretty big deal due to the laws of physics:

Spain investigates corrupt 'too-tall trains' sale, while SA has taken no action

The Spanish authorities are investigating corruption at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa). Meanwhile South African law enforcement – the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) – have taken no action for five years...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za

Also, thanks to inspector @Gordon_R the following info has also come to light:

View attachment 1474529
Click to expand...
Those trains you could tell are not suitable for narrow gauge
 
Roman avril said:
Too expensive and boring . Imagine flying from gauteng to plk. Stupid
Click to expand...

You clarified in a following post that its for long distance travel.

Trains for commuting isn't really practical in SA. Busses will work for shorter distances and air planes for longer distances.
If you are looking to have a nostalgic train ride there are a number of options in SA you can explore.
 
Roman avril said:
Rovos rail is a private operator so we know its possible for private rail to exist. Is it not?
Click to expand...
It's possible, but there will always be so many obstacles in the way. Here is just one example of many!

au.finance.yahoo.com

Raccoon rescued after private parts freeze to railway line in -12C Georgia

A procedure using hot water allowed the animal to break free
au.finance.yahoo.com au.finance.yahoo.com

A male raccoon was rescued after its private parts became frozen to a railway track in southern America.

A railway worker was braving -12C conditions in Cochran, Georgia, when he and a colleague came across the distressed animal on the line. It was seen straddling the rail with its testicles stuck to the metal.

Neil Mullis used warm water and a shovel to dislodge the raccoon in a process that took five minutes – after which the animal ran free.

He told local media: “I poured the warm water under his bottom while a co-worker worked the shovel under his butt to try and break him loose.

“After about five minutes of slowly working him loose, he was free. He jumped off the rail and ran in the woods, never looking back.”
 
B-1 said:
You clarified in a following post that its for long distance travel.

Trains for commuting isn't really practical in SA. Busses will work for shorter distances and air planes for longer distances.
If you are looking to have a nostalgic train ride there are a number of options in SA you can explore.
Click to expand...
No. I'm talking about proper intercity trains. Not tourism type of affair. And why aren't commuter trains practical?
 
As long as there is a taxi mafia sorry I mean industry, there will be no tangible commuter rail system, let alone other forms of useful public transport.

Imagine they could build overheard trains that run parallel or above highways or main roads (like Bangkok for example).

Anyway...what am I smoking? Not in this country.
 
Bliksis said:
As long as there is a taxi mafia sorry I mean industry, there will be no tangible commuter rail system, let alone other forms of useful public transport.

Imagine they could build overheard trains that run parallel or above highways or main roads (like Bangkok for example).

Anyway...what am I smoking? Not in this country.
Click to expand...
Western Cape is going after them
 
Roman avril said:
No. I'm talking about proper intercity trains. Not tourism type of affair. And why aren't commuter trains practical?
Click to expand...

Because its not safe for commuters or the business and it will be expensive to run.
 
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