For the first time in its history, the Kei Rail daily passenger service transported a record 1 037 passengers on Monday 19 December 2011 between AmaBhele and Mthatha.
“As we move closer to the long Christmas Weekend, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport is expecting an increase in the Kei Rail passenger volumes this festive season, which warrants the intensification of rail safety awareness to reduce occurrences attributable to human error,” said Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
Following the re-introduction of the service by MEC Marawu on 10 June 2011, more than 50 000 passengers have been transported on the Kei Rail.
“The passenger volumes clearly show that we took a right decision to get this service back on track. Adherence and compliance to rail safety requirements is mandatory to all railway users in South Africa and this festive season, we are going to intensify the management of human errors through a dynamic, risk-driven process, which forms an integral part of the departmental Rail Safety Strategy,” said MEC Marawu.
The department reiterates that a passenger is not allowed to:
- Climb or get inside while the train is in motion
- Hang outside of the train while the train is in motion
- Walk on the roof or “train surf”, it could cost your live
The department also urges people to work together with government by reporting cable theft, sleeper theft and Tarpaulin as the removal of these items could cause disaster and cost lives.
With regards to personal safety on trains people are urged not to travel alone in the dark, instead they must travel in groups or arrange to be met at the station and to develop a culture of Rail Safety by teaching families, friends and loved ones safe habits such as crossing railway lines at authorized subways, pedestrian bridges, or level crossings.
Passengers safety is their responsibility and they should always remember to:
- be observant so that if you witness an incident of any kind you can supply SAPS officials with as much information as possible
- keep in mind that no firearms or dangerous weapons maybe taken through access control gates or on boarding the train
- always be on the platform 5 minutes before departure to avoid being rushed if there is a change in platform
- obey safety instructions issued by Metrorail employees and Security officials and mind the gap between the train and the platform
Commuters are encouraged to report any incident or accident to our customer care centre through our toll free number 0800 644 644.
Media contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 082 562 6023
