Shosholoza Meyl trains suspended after barely ONE month

Despite plenty of excitement at the return of long-distance service, following repeated incidents, many will be relieved to see PRASA’s Shosholoza Meyl trains suspended. There was much excitement when the Passenger Rail Service of South Africa announced a resumption of train services between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban on 1 December 2023.

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Following a two-year hiatus, the long-distance trains promised affordable travel to major destinations over the holidays. However, it was too much, too soon, as trouble hit the very first journey to Cape Town. Passengers were ferried by bus due to cable theft in the Western Cape, prompting many to ask whether the tracks were tested at all before being rushed back into service.

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SHOSHOLOZA MEYL TRAINS SUSPENDED

But that was only the beginning. Next, a 10-hour delay on the way to Durban because of the poor state of tracks meant the train risked derailing. A harbinger of the recent Transnet coal-train derailment outside Richard’s bay, perhaps?   

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The final nail in the PRASA coffin was the 46-hour nightmare journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. A series of events conspired to more than double the travel time. PRASA attributed these to a faulty locomotive that was unable to be fixed in De Aar. This was followed by a water refill in Kimberley. But, sadly, it was all for naught as it finally gave up, unable to negotiate the steep gradients of the route near Beaufort West.

UNABLE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

Now, according to TopAuto, passengers attempting to book seats on the train for February 2024 have been told by PRASA the service is suspended. This is allegedly due to a lack of locomotives. Service will only resume once the faulty locomotives are replaced.

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There’s been consternation within the ranks at PRASA since the long-distance service returned last month and flopped so dismally. Staff blamed issues on Transnet’s poorly maintained railways, and the fact the company prioritised locomotives for freight rather than passenger trains. Clearly the embattled state-owned enterprise’s promise of ‘additional locomotives to address the impact of unreliable ones’ has not materialised.

SHOSHOLOZA MEYL TRAINS SUSPENDED DUE TO UNEQUAL OWNERSHIP

Many transport experts are not surprised to find Shosholoza Meyl trains suspended. That’s because PRASA and Transnet share unequal ownership of the country’s rail network. They each report to different government departments and blame one another for the failed relaunch of long-distance commuter trains. Clearly, as many readers have commented, the service was not ready. And a fully functional long-distance operation is still a long, long way away for South Africa.

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So, Shosholoza Meyl trains suspended, what are your thoughts? Were they rushed back into service when it clearly was not ready? Be sure to share your thoughts with our audience in the comments section below. And don’t forget to follow us @TheSANews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest updates.