Gauteng Metrorail will reintroduce new trains (The People’s train) between Pretoria and Pienaarspoort stations with effect from Monday 02 July 2018. The new trains will however be limited to run during off-peak period between 09H00-15H00 Monday to Friday. The clock-face approach will be adopted whereby trains will run at approximately 40 minutes interval. During the morning and afternoon peak periods on the same days, the old trains (yellow sets) will be running according to the current time table. On weekends, the service will be running with the new trains only.
The train service running between Pretoria and Pienaarspoort was suspended on the 14th March 2018 following a series of vandalism and assault on Metrorail personnel. The service was reintroduced on the 21st May 2018 on the Pienaarspoort line however only old sets were utilised as the new trains were still being repaired. Prior to the reintroduction of the service, Metrorail had numerous engagements with the communities of Pienaarspoort and other interested organisations which resulted in signing the social compact as a way of commitment to protect the trains sets. At the time when Metrorail suspended the service on Pienaarspoort corridor, Nineteen (19) employees were assaulted and six (6) trains were vandalised to the value of R6-million.
Gauteng Metrorail Provincial Manager, Mr Goodman Matampi said “we call upon commuters and the community at large to work with Metrorail and the law enforcement agencies to ensure that those vandalising the railway assets are reported and brought to book. It cannot be that while the country is desperately trying to improve its public transport system, with government injecting billions to make this a reality, others are determined to undermine this at all costs. This is a call to the public and leaders to expose those who place the lives of innocent commuters and Metrorail staff at risk through this barbaric act. Management emphasises the fact that in a case where such criminal activities continue, it will not hesitate to suspend train services in the particular corridor”.
Commuters are urged to report all incidents to their nearest Police Stations, or alternatively they can also contact Metrorail’s Security and Protection Services on the following numbers: Tel: 011 013 0055 or 011 013 0057.
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