Metrorail resumes service on the Cape Flats line under Level 2

Apart from the Cape Flats line, Metrorail is looking to resume service on the Cape Town to Kraaifontein line in the next two weeks.

PAARDEN EILAND, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 27: General view of stationary trains during the walk-about at the Metrorail depot in Paarden Eiland on July 27, 2018 in Paarden Eiland, South Africa. Dr Blaze Nzimande (Minister of Transport) and other delegates, visited the depot to views the damages to the PRASA infrastructure sustained during the arson attacks on Metrorail trains in Cape Town. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach)

Metrorail resumed services on the Cape Flats line on Monday 24 August. Prasa Regional Manager in the Western Cape Raymond Maseko, in an interview with eNCA, said the organisation was excited to have the train services back in operation after a long five months.

CAPE FLATS LINE REOPENS ON MONDAY 24 AUGUST

Metrorail announced that test trips started last week in preparation for the reopening on Monday.

According to Metrorail, 12 trains will operate on weekdays between 6:16 and 19:30 from Heathfield to Cape Town and 13 trains will operate from Cape Town to Heathfield. No weekend services will be offered until the demand warrants it.

Trains will initially stop at nine stations namely; Cape Town, Woodstock, Salt River, Maitland, Athlone, Lansdowne, Ottery, Southfield and Heathfield.

Regarding the reopening, Maseko said it had to coincide with the reopening of schools. Grades R, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 and 11 returned to school on Monday 24 August 2020.

“We were listening to a lot of social media requests from the community of the Western Cape, they sincerely requested this line and we are introducing it today, and we are hopeful that in the next two weeks we will introduce the Cape Town to Kraaifontein line.”

In line with level 2 regulations, train capacity has been increased to 70% and the number of tickets available for sale has been adjusted accordingly.

VANDALISM AND THEFT

Maseko, last week, said technical teams were dealing systematically with the aftermath of the lockdown on the northern route where vandalism, theft and pilfering incidents rocketed.

Despite the setbacks, he said commuter behaviour and compliance had been excellent. On Friday 21 August he said not a single COVID-19 case had been recorded amongst commuters screened within rail precincts.

“Our employees will continue to discharge their duties responsibly to maintain the status quo. We encourage our commuters to take personal responsibility to comply”.

Commuters must use designated exits and entries where indicated at stations and in train carriages to ensure compliance. Access to stations and platforms will be monitored by ticket verifiers, marshals and security guards.

Turnaround times at Cape Town and Heathfield stations will be increased to permit sanitising of trains. Trains are also cleaned and disinfected overnight. Commuters are advised to arrive masked at least 20 minutes earlier to allow for sanitising before buying a ticket and to have the correct fare amount to minimise the handling of cash.