CAPE TOWN - Metrorail reopens on Wednesday with a total of four lines operating throughout the country.
With a total of 26 trains, the services will run at limited operation during peak times in the morning and afternoon with certain stations between trips to be skipped.
The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, said “We plan to do so on four lines, in Gauteng, the line that we just travelled on, being from Pienaarspoort down here to the Pretoria station. We’re looking at the Western Cape, the southern line from Cape Town to Retreat. Two lines in the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage as well as East London to Berlin.”
Metro Rail Western Cape announced yesterday, “Metrorail is permitted to start limited operations on Wednesday 1 July 2020 under strict travel conditions.”
Metrorail ensures that all health and safety protocols will be followed:
- With commuters only able to board a train if wearing a mask;
- Commuters to follow safe physical distancing with markers placed on stations and in trains assisting with safe distances;
- All trains to filled no more than 15% capacity
We are ready to welcome commuters on the Pienaarsport-Pretoria. Only limited service will start tomorrow. #NoMaskNoEntry#FlatteningTheCurve#TogetherWeCanBeatCorona#ProtectingYouProtectingMe#SocialDistancing pic.twitter.com/Sdz1PS5AAj
— MetrorailGauteng (@metrorailgp) June 30, 2020
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has personally inspected the sites and facilities of Prasa ahead of the official reopening with the minister please with the readiness show, he still believes there is work to be done.
PRASA Commutors will be required like the rest of us to use masks and no one will board a train without one.
— FIKILE MBALULA | MR FIX (@MbalulaFikile) June 30, 2020
PRASA will regularly sanitize the trains and ensure that those who get in get proper sanitization. https://t.co/PB4W3esAOV pic.twitter.com/X1CNHnNHPk
"The outbreak of COVID-19 has interrupted the momentum that we had gained as we worked to repair PRASA. In dealing with the Corona Virus, PRASA was forced to halt its operations, thus losing revenue. Infrastructure upgrades and rolling stock refurbishments were also suspended under the initial lockdown regulations. To make matters worse, vandalism continued to plague the train sets and stations, further setting the entity back. As we gradually reopen services, we are mindful of the tremendous work that lies ahead. We welcome the limited resumption of services but we are also aware of the mammoth task that lies ahead".
#Covid19SA Stakeholder Engagement : Gradual Service Resumption #StaySafe. @PRASA_Group @ucvwcpro @rmaseko pic.twitter.com/emLT5koBuv
— Metrorail W/Cape (@CapeTownTrains) June 30, 2020
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