Media release by Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Mobility
Today, I joined the Transport Minister Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga for the official launch of the reinstated Central Line between Nyanga and Langa. We are so pleased that there is movement on these tracks, thanks to hard work by Prasa (Passenger Rail Agency of South African) and collaboration between the different spheres of government.
Although there is still a long way to go to restore full rail services to all communities, seeing commuters traveling to work again on this line is an excellent first step. One of our top mobility priorities is the restoration of rail as the backbone of public transport in Cape Town and other rail links in our province – both for the movement of people and goods.
I am proud to be part of the coalition of the willing to permanently restore the Central Line. We celebrate this milestone and welcome the momentum gained. At this stage, we must do whatever it takes to put commuters first, so that people can get to work, grow the economy and create the additional jobs so desperately needed.
I have had several meetings with Prasa leadership in recent weeks to see how the Western Cape Government (WCG) can support their efforts to fix rail and get the Central Line up and running again as quickly as possible. One of the key issues, is to ensure that once trains are running again there is adequate security to prevent any vandalism or attacks on commuters, the rolling stock or infrastructure.
My commitment – upon the full reinstatement of the Central Line – is to working with my colleagues to re-establish the dormant Rail Enforcement Unit, a partnership which the WCG funded previously alongside the City of Cape Town and Prasa.
Note to editors: please contact Rebecca Campbell on 076 783 2583 for photos and sound bites.
Media queries:
Rebecca Campbell
Spokesperson for Minister Ricardo Mackenzie
076 783 2583