R130 million wasted on trains that have to run on damaged rails

Hanno Labuschagne

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R130 million wasted on trains that have to run on damaged rails

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) signed a R130-million deal to lease locomotives for long-distance trips on its Shosholoza Meyl trains despite warnings that the railway infrastructure on which they would run was too dilapidated, according to a report from The Sunday Times.

The service resumed on 15 December 2021 in an attempt for Prasa to capitalise on demand during the festive season and holiday rush, after being suspended for almost two years since March 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
We rode the Shosholoza Meyl about 7 years ago from PE to JHB just to experience it. Even then it was on its way down the crapper. Seems we were lucky to make the cut.

I have used trains all over Europe, and they are usually amazing, even economy cabins are perfect. Such a pity we can't have nice things.
 
Can NOT help but wonder what went on under the table as it were to sweeten the deal, not withstanding the issues it is facing...
 
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No injuries as Metrorail train sets collide outside Soshanguve, Pretoria​

Two Metrorail train sets were involved in a collision near Soshanguve station outside Pretoria on Monday morning, resulting in damage but no injuries.

Metrotrail said a train en route to Mabopane station experienced a technical fault outside Soshanguve station about 5.30am on Monday.

“The technical team, upon attending to the fault by uncoupling the set, experienced a roll back of the set on to the other set, causing a collision,” Gauteng Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng said.

Now I have to ask whether they will be like a bank and blame it on a system error?
 
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