Mbalula rides new electric train from Mabopane to Pretoria

Mbalula’s visit and train ride on Wednesday formed part of an oversight visit. 

The Mabopane to Pretoria line, which was reopened on Monday, services at least 300 000 commuters on a daily basis.

The rail line was shut down in August 2021 following three years of vandalism, theft, and signal glitches.

The CEO of the passenger rail agency Prasa, David Mphelo, said out of a budget of R1.4 billion, they have spent R700 million so far on repairs and refurbishments.

This is the same line on which a train transporting President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 shuddered to a halt for two hours. 

"This place was declared a presidential priority. Today we are here to resume the service effectively,” Mbalula said on Wednesday.

“This is the biggest corridor in Pretoria north and it was ravaged with a lot of challenges in terms of commuters, trains were not running on time and people were returning to work late. This line is the same as the central line in Cape Town, we are starting an important service for our people in this particular area.”

A commuter told Jacaranda FM News that the cheaper train tickets are a relief. 

"We pray that this new train travels on time. I am very happy because we have been struggling. I am hoping that the security guards will also be inside the train because we were robbed inside. Last year was hard, sometimes I missed work because I didn't have R60 for a taxi.”

Mphelo said they have hired 3100 security personnel and are also using less copper. 

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