No money for more train security

File picture: David Ritchie

File picture: David Ritchie

Published Jul 23, 2015

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Cape Town - More security on trains and the hiring of additional ticket verifiers would increase pressure on an “already stretched” Metrorail budget, spokesperson Riana Scott said on Wednesday amid growing frustration over safety on trains.

The parastatal spent R200 million a year on security in the Western Cape.

This was in response to a letter from commuter Vivian Daniels written to the Cape Times and forwarded to Metrorail, decrying the service. Daniels travels from Lavistown station in Bishop Lavis to Cape Town at 6am every morning.

He said he seldom saw security on the train.

“People are still getting robbed by thugs, especially at Lavistown station, which is sad. During winter, the stations are so dark, with very few lights, so we as commuters are sitting ducks for the thugs,” Daniels said.

In his letter, he also noted that passengers were travelling without valid tickets.

Scott said to employ more security and ticket verifiers would increase pressure on the budget, which was cross-funded by a “diminishing” government subsidy.

The region’s security complement comprised 872 protection services employees, 1 200 private security guards employed for asset protection and guard duty, and 400 railway police members deployed on trains and at stations.

Scott said about 2.5 million tickets were sold every month.

There were 828 ticket verifiers rostered to check tickets according to the region’s verification strategy.

“It is not productive use of resources to serve each and every access point every day. From a business point of view, it is more productive to place staff at bigger stations. Staff deployment is based on analyses of ticket sales and patronage,” Scott said.

In the absence of technology, staff had to check tickets manually. During peak hours at Cape Town Station, verifiers checked 47 tickets a minute.

At the start of the month, Metrorail announced an increase in fares. In the Western Cape, single tickets increased between 50c and R1, while weeklies went up by R2.

Monthlies increased by between R2 and R38, depending on travel zone and class.

Regional manager Richard Walker previously said the cost of operating the service had swelled, and major cost drivers such as electricity and safety critical components had increased beyond inflation.

Daniels said Metrorail had responded to his letter and apologised for where the service had fallen short of expectations.

Scott said: “Crime is on the increase in general and rail precincts are unfortunately not exempted from criminal attempts. Unless communities work with ourselves and the police on sustainable solutions, crime would simply shift from trains and stations to surrounding neighbourhoods.

“It is vital that neighbourhood watches, community policing forums, ratepayers associations and private security companies work together to ensure that criminal activity is effectively curtailed.”

People have been taking to social media to voice their anger at the service using the hashtag #MetroFail.

Tweets include:

* Craig Goliath: “Always apologies for the inconvenience! Whilst we get warnings at work, and they laugh all the way to the bank on payday! #MetroFail”

* Deon Arends:” You still haven’t fixed those defective circuits?!?! yet you want us to pay more for tickets! #epicfail #metroFAIL”

* Pallo JorDz: “I’ve been travelling to Mowbray for over 2 hours now. #MetroRail #MetroFail”

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