Mobility
What role has his Department played in Prasa’s line restoration efforts and (b) what discussions did he have with Prasa to align these efforts with the Province’s transport goals?
- What role has his Department played in PRASA’s line restoration efforts and
Response:
The Western Cape Mobility Department is committed to supporting the restoration of passenger rail as a critical component of a functional and affordable transport system in the province. While the Department does not hold an operational mandate over passenger rail, it has and continues to actively engage PRASA to support with rail recovery efforts.
Examples of such efforts include:
Participation in the National Rail Revitalisation Programme: The Department participates in the Rail Revitalisation Programme’s periodic sessions, chaired by the National Department of Transport, contributing to oversight and coordination efforts to support rail restoration, including the recent reopening of the Central Line.
Support to the Rail Enforcement Unit (REU): The Department previously partnered with PRASA and the City of Cape Town to establish and fund a dedicated enforcement unit tasked with improving rail passengers’ safety and protecting rail infrastructure against theft and vandalism.
Vegetation removal: PRASA has experienced challenges with substantial vegetation overgrowth on tracks, hindering rail operations. The Department assisted by deploying its own service provider to clear affected tracks.
Engagements to support restoration: The Department has been consistent in reaching out to PRASA to offer its assistance in supporting rail restoration, and to identify further opportunities to collaborate. Prior to COVID, the Department had offered to support PRASA in restoring the Central Line by operating a temporary rail-relief bus service. Though engagements were constructive, the process was halted due to the pandemic. Following the pandemic, the Department resumed engagements with PRASA and has continued to offer assistance and share information to support rail restoration. An MoU to enhance cooperation is currently being discussed with PRASA, as further explained below.
Support for rail safety and infrastructure protection: The Department is engaging PRASA on its formal request for financial and operational assistance to help mitigate risks from ongoing stone-throwing incidents along key routes. This follows from earlier departmental support with scrambler bikes to improve patrol mobility, combat crime and prevent service collapse in the difficult-to-access rail corridors and adjacent land.
- What discussions did he have with PRASA to align these efforts with the Province’s transport goals?
Response:
The restoration of passenger rail is one of the Province’s highest transport priorities, as it offers the greatest potential to transform Cape Town’s mobility system. A well-functioning rail system could radically improve access to opportunities, reduce congestion, and provide affordable, reliable transport to our communities most in need.
To support this, the Department has engaged directly with PRASA to reinforce our shared commitment to restoring rail as the backbone of public transport in the Province.
In September 2024, the MEC and senior officials met with PRASA’s GCEO to discuss opportunities for further collaboration. The meeting focused on aligning PRASA's efforts with the province's draft Provincial Transport Framework (PLTF).
To formalise cooperation going forward, the Department has drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), currently under discussion with PRASA. The MOU aims to provide a basis for long-term collaboration between the Department and PRASA, including provisions to facilitate information exchange, collaborate to develop revitalisation strategies, and agree on projects that support rail revitalisation in alignment with Provincial transport goals.
One project that could be supported by the MOU is the investigation of measures to support the restoration of rail through the enhancement and expansion of park-and-ride facilities along rail lines, which the Department is currently investigating.
At an operational level, the Department also participates in rail working groups with the City of Cape Town and PRASA, which provides an ongoing platform for discussion on rail restoration efforts and alignment on broader transport goals.
