Train woes stifle economy – Zuma

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ON TRACK: President Jacob Zuma yesterday caught a train in Pretoria to assess public transport in Gauteng. He was joined by a number of cabinet colleagues including newly appointed Transport Minister Ben Martins (seen right).

Jonisayi Maromo

Sapa

PRETORIA: Problems at the passenger train service, Metrorail, hampered SA’s economic development, President Jacob Zuma said yesterday.

He told reporters on a tour of Gauteng public transport infrastructure he had experienced first-hand what thousands of commuters endure daily.

“I have experienced it for myself. I have spoken to the workers on the Metrorail trains. They have complained largely about the train service,” he said.

“When I used the Gautrain it was a different experience altogether. It is efficient, quick and makes people certain about their business.

“This is the kind of development SA needs, though some were criticising the (Gautrain) development”.

Zuma said public transport systems had to change.

“Commuters were complaining. I have been told that the trains are not reliable, there is no security and at times they (the trains) just stop in the middle of nowhere. Workers are struggling to get to work, that is not good for the economy,” he told reporters.

“I am more convinced now that we need faster and more secure trains.”

His tour yesterday, dubbed “The President’s Monitoring Visit 2012” was organised for him to get a personal taste of public transport in Gauteng during rush hour.

It started off with Zuma arriving at around 7am at Pretoria’s main Bosman train station to take a Metrorail train ride.

He bought his own train ticket.

Early morning commuters in Pretoria stared with surprise at the huge contingent of police officers, Metrorail staff and numerous news crews during Zuma’s tour.

On the train, commuters spoke emotionally about the “poor” train service.

“We are struggling, president. The trains are always overloaded like this – this is how we survive,” said one commuter.

Many passengers took photographs of the president using their cellphones.

In Kempton Park, dozens of schoolchildren rushed to see the president as he embarked from a Metrorail train at the Rhodesfield station.

Presidential bodyguards pushed the schoolchildren back, preventing them from getting too close to the president.

The obviously excited minors burst into a chorus of Zuma’s signature song Umshini wami, while dancing.

Zuma and his massive entourage, including cabinet ministers, disembarked from the train and went to the upper platform to board the Gautrain to Sandton.

SA National Defence Force and SA Police Service helicopters hovered over the train station and followed the Gautrain.

From Sandton the delegation headed for Johannesburg’s Park Station.

The president and his entourage arrived to wild celebrations and cheering at South Africa’s main public transport hub.

Zuma walked around the complex, greeting and waving at the multitudes, as people jostled to catch a glimpse of the president.

Shop owners looked equally surprised, many of them standing at entrances and taking photographs of the large group of VIPs.

Zuma then proceeded to the adjacent Wanderers Street taxi rank, where he spoke to several taxi drivers and passengers.

Many passengers complained about the rising costs of public transport. Most appealed to the president to intervene and stop the run-away transport costs.

At the taxi platform for mini-buses heading to Nkandla (Zuma’s home town) some commuters offered the president a choice seat to travel next to them.

But Zuma led his entourage to the Rea Vaya bus system, where he bought a ticket to Soweto. The delegates arrived in Soweto after 11am.