The Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters, directed the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to expedite the investigation into the cause of the Metro Rail train collision that took place between Kaalfontein and Thembisa station today, the 24th October 2016.
Metrorail train 1851 travelling from Thembisa to Elandsfontein collided head on with Train 1848 between Kaalfontein and Thembisa stations. Currently, one person has been declared dead and it is estimated that about three hundred (300) passengers have sustained minor to moderate injuries.
“It is unfortunate that this collision happens during the month as we celebrate our transport achievements and also on the eve of our release of the State of Safety Report 2015/16 by the RSR.
It is incidences such as these that keep reminding us that we have taken informed and correct decisions to modernise our rail network and increase our investment in the new rolling stock and the signalling system, as we know that our rail network has been previously characterised by years of disinvestment by the apartheid government,” said Minister Peters.
Minister Peters further said that Prasa has taken immediate measures to improve safety and reliability of our trains and will continuously do so to ensure that incidences such as these becomes a thing of the past. The new signalling system was commissioned yesterday, 23rd October 2016, and Prasa started using the system today. This means there will be a marked improvement in the signalling system henceforth.
To further alleviate inconveniences to the commuters, a bus shuttle service is commissioned to transport commuters because trains are currently turning around at Kaalfontein and Leralla stations.
“We apologise for the inconveniences that might have been caused by this unfortunate incident, Minister Peters said. Minister Peters passes her heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased passenger and wishes all the injured a speedy recovery. “Prasa will give the injured and their families the most needed comfort and support during this period
of grief,” confirmed Minister Peters.
Enquiries:
Mr Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 072 566 0827
