Durban:EThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has praised the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for its efforts in improving passenger rail services in Durban. Xaba, along with Members of the Executive Committee and PRASA's top management, traveled by train from Durban Station to Umlazi to evaluate the condition of the corridor and progress on modernizing the signalling and telecommunications systems.
According to South African Government News Agency, PRASA is conducting an R11 billion programme to upgrade signalling and telecommunications across various corridors. Additionally, the agency is investing approximately R2 billion in rehabilitating the Umlazi Corridor, which is vital as it serves the largest number of train passengers in the province. These projects are in different stages of implementation.
Xaba highlighted the anticipated benefits of the signalling and telecommunications programme, noting improvements in the safety, reliability, and scheduling of train services. The project, once completed, will allow trains to run every three to five minutes, potentially boosting annual passenger numbers from 1.8 million to an estimated 10 million.
In preparation for increased demand, PRASA has already procured 101 new trains. Next month, the agency plans to unveil the first of seven completed sections of the signalling project. The initial section will cover the corridor between Crossmoor and Havenside, followed by the section between Rossburgh and Pinetown.
Xaba expressed gratitude to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and PRASA's management for investing in Durban's rail operations. He emphasized that the investment is essential as trains are a preferred transport mode for poor and working-class communities. Furthermore, Xaba stated that revitalizing the rail network is key to developing an integrated, safe, and reliable public transport system for the city.