The Khayelitsha Development Forum (KDF) has welcomed the return of the passenger trains to the neighbourhood, citing that they would ease the burden on commuters.
After more than five years the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) officially re-introduced trains to Khayelitsha on Monday 7 April as part of its Central Line rehabilitation programme. The line has been out of action since November 2019 after vandals destroyed the infrastructure, forcing thousands of train commuters to seek alternative travel means.
KDF secretary Khayalethu Nethi said the return of the trains to Khayelitsha was long overdue. He described the area as one of the impoverished, adding that the majority of people preferred trains as their mode of transport but were left with no choice but to use the buses and the taxis.
“We welcome the return of the trains in Khayelitsha. We believe that they will make a difference. Their return will give our people an alternative mode of transport. We know that trains are cheaper than any other mode of transport and that compels the majority of people to use it when they are going to work.”
Nethi said their return will not only make life easier for the commuters, but will create opportunities for the hawkers.
He said many people lost their jobs after the trains were suspended. “What PRASA did is magnificent. Many people will benefit from the return of the trains. Some people will be hired as securities and others will be vendors. Ours as the community is to protect our trains and stations.”
Provincial PRASA spokesperson Zino Mihi said the trains are being tested. “We are just assessing it for now. We want to see how it goes with the customers. They will go every hour — 05:50, 06:50… There will be police visibility and private security. There will be CCTV cameras so the driver can see everything happening inside the train while driving. He or she can also announce over the PA system at will.”
It was emphasised that there is no cause to worry.