Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has announced an increase in train speeds on the KuGompo corridor between Berlin and East London from 30km/h to 60km/h following the closure of all Railway Safety Regulator improvement directives in the Eastern Cape.
Creecy said the approval by the Railway Safety Regulator reflected progress in improving railway safety and services in the province as the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) continues to upgrade stations.
Addressing the official opening of the upgraded stations in East London on Tuesday 27 October, Creecy said safety remained central to PRASA’s work, stressing that clean stations, clean trains and safe journeys were essential as services improved.
She said security personnel would continue to be deployed at stations and aboard trains to protect commuters and railway infrastructure.
Creecy also called on communities along the railway corridor to help combat theft and vandalism, warning that damage to railway equipment disrupted services, increased costs and inconvenienced passengers.
“These stations belong to the people of this region. They were rebuilt with public funds, by local hands, for local commuters,” she said.
The minister urged residents, commuters, cooperatives and local businesses to take responsibility for protecting railway infrastructure and report incidents of theft and vandalism.
She said PRASA should work closely with law enforcement agencies and community structures to address the problem.
Despite the progress, Creecy said 18 stations in the Eastern Cape still required upgrades, which PRASA would have to complete over the coming years.
She said the longer-term objective was to restore rail services in the province to the levels they had reached before the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that current progress suggested the target was achievable.
Creecy thanked PRASA employees, organised labour, contractors, local businesses and community partners for their contributions to the improvements.
She also acknowledged commuters for their patience during the suspension of services during the pandemic and the gradual restoration of train operations.
Creecy said the priority was now to protect the progress made, extend the benefits of improved infrastructure and ensure passengers experienced safe, convenient and comfortable journeys.
“It is now my privilege to declare these stations officially open,” she said.
