Rail row remains unresolved

Some long-distance train services suspended by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in August are still not running. Photo: Supplied

Some long-distance train services suspended by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in August are still not running. Photo: Supplied

Published Oct 18, 2010

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Johannesburg - Some long-distance train services suspended by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in August are still not running, the United Transport and Allied Trade Union (Utatu) said on Sunday.

“In a few short weeks South Africa has been plunged from its World Cup euphoria to a country without an inter-city rail service,” Utatu general secretary Chris de Vos said in a statement.

“With only a 10-percent mainline service now running, thousands of passengers must rely on alternative, more expensive transport.”

He blamed government for the problems “crippling” the country's rail system.

The suspension followed a disagreement between Prasa and Transnet two months ago.

Prasa announced in August it would suspend its Shosholoza Meyl long-distance service and blamed Transnet for the problem.

Transnet accused Prasa of non-payment of around R1.3-billion for maintenance work performed, while Prasa's CEO Lucky Montana accused Transnet of charging too much and doing a lousy job in maintaining their locomotives.

Transnet on Sunday said it had said everything it needed to say in statements submitted on its website in August.

“We have said everything we've needed to say,” spokesperson Mboniso Sigonyela told reporters.

“Transnet doesn't run Shosholoza, you must call Prasa.”

In a statement posted on Transnet's website in August it said Prasa had discontinued its long distance passenger train services without consulting Transnet.

“This was for reasons that were within Prasa’s operational control and despite numerous attempts by Transnet to warn Prasa of the impending impact on service delivery,” the statement said.

“it should be noted that the company (Transnet) has set out constructive ways, including specific proposals, to assist Prasa deal with some of its difficulties.”

De Vos said President Jacob Zuma needed to step in to resolve the problem.

“Zuma's inertia is creating fertile ground for the rail executives that have placed their own interests and egos ahead of the national need.”

Utatu said Prasa and mainline rail travel was imploding and key rail services and jobs were disappearing.

De Vos said the continued deadlock would make it more difficult to normalise the situation as staff lost their operating licences after a specific period.

Fifteen train drivers had already resigned, he said.

The union said the only “sign of hope” was the call by the portfolio committee on public enterprise's chairperson Vytjie Mentor for government to intervene.

Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) shared Utatu's views and concerns and had written to Zuma calling for his intervention.

Fedusa general secretary, Dennis George said: “We, as a nation, should become more serious about bringing to boot managers of parastatals who neglect the public services they are paid to provide.”

Prasa was not immediately available for comment. - Sapa

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