Cape Town - Travelling to work on Wednesday morning was difficult for many Metrorail passengers in Cape Town as all train lines were heavily delayed.
Cable theft and vandalism saw 60-minute delays in trains travelling to Cape Town.
Metrorail spokeswoman Riana Scott said the delays were due to cable theft at Cape Town, Woodstock and Kraaifontein.
The delays were exacerbated by Transnet Freight Rail's ongoing track repairs in Bellville, Scott said
A train which arrived at Plumstead station just before 6am stopped somewhere before Woodstock station at about 6.25am, says IOL staffer Renee Moodie.
Passengers shared snippets of information and many opted to abandon the carriage when the doors were opened. The train then lurched into life again, travelled a short distance and stopped again. It was evident that the many other trains on other lines were moving and then stopping in the same way, Moodie said.
"Then a fire started in the grass alongside the train. Lots of people were going to the front of the train. One woman said she heard that we were going to be stuck for three hours. Best get comfortable then, said a man. The woman said she would get fired and hopped on to the tracks to walk."
The train then lurched into life again and managed to make it to Woodstock station by about 7am.
Moodie opted to leave the train and hailed an Uber cab which got her to work at about 7.15am.
On Wednesday morning Metrorail regional manager Richard Walker appealed to the public to report cable thieves and vandals.
“At least 10% of delays and cancellations in the Western Cape are attributable to cable theft - some 200 incidents are recorded every year. The replacement costs amount to millions per year but the cost of lost productivity, customer confidence and reputational damage is incalculable.”
He appealed to employers to be lenient to staff who are reliant on trains as mode of transport, because in Cape Town the majority of public transport users travel by train.
“We ask employers to please accommodate their staff. Commuters who require proof of delays for employers may request letters of confirmation at stations or register for the 'Email my boss' option on the mobi-site www.GoMetroApp.com,” Walker said.
Metrorail advised commuters with urgent appointments to make alternative transport arrangements.
“Technicians are working to restore full service as soon as possible, Metrorail sincerely apologises to commuters for the unavoidable delays as a result,” added Scott.
To add to commuters’ woes, there were also reports that Cape Town taxi drivers would embark on a strike on Wednesday.