Prior to COVID lockdown, the service had run continuously for 184 years without a break. When lockdown was announced PRASA had to find somewhere to park its train fleet, something which it had never done before. Trains were therefore parked at Cape Town Station until the service could be resumed.
On 7 July 2020, PRASA opened the first 7 of 121 stations as part of the resumption of service. These stations were between Cape Town and Retreat on the Southern Line. By September 2020 only 13 stations were operating.
During COVID lock-down, the train infrastructure came under severe strain especially on the Central corridor. The infrastructure suffered at the hands of both those who moved onto the line and those who stole or vandalised buildings and overhead cables.
The current Regional Manager, Raymond Maseko, was appointed by the then Administrator of PRASA and tasked with bringing the Western Cape train service back online.
Kapteinsklip, Mitchell’s Plain and Lentegeur were the last three stations to officially open making all 121 stations in the Western Cape open.
The MEC For Mobility, Mr Isaac Sileku, spoke about his vision for public transport services in the Western Cape where he dreams that the relevant players all work together for a smooth and efficient service, thereby reducing unnecessary traffic and congestion across the City.
The Regional Manager, MEC and other stakeholders engaged with commuters during the unfortunate delay in Kapteinsklip as well as during the trip to Cape Town.
