Metrorail announces a thourough review of its safety procedures and compensation for train accident victims

25 May 2011

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and its Division Metrorail, have expressed serious concern over the two recent train accidents that took place in a period of twomonths in succession due to human error.

"We view the accidents in a very serious light and support the statement made by the Minister of Transport that passenger safety is non-negotiable. We want to reaffirm to the public and commuters that our system is based on strict safety policies, rules and procedures. Metrorail runs approximately 2 200 trains per day and moves approximately 2.4 million passengers per day safely. We reaffirm our continued commitment to deliver a safe passenger service.

On behalf of Metrorail and its parent company PRASA, we wish the accident victims a speedy recovery, and our support to them and their families. said Mosenngwa Mofi, CEO of the Rail Division.

In response to the two accidents, an extra ordinary meeting to review and evaluate safety measures within the Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl train operations was convened on Saturday, 21 May, and after a thorough review of our safety measures the following critical decisions were taken:

• The introduction of a compulsory stop at all T signals, previously treated as cautionary signals where drivers could proceed with caution after a three minute wait. The new rule will now compel drivers to stop and get authorisation before proceeding.
• The implementation of a no-fault commuter cover for all valid ticket holders during a train accident.
• Strengthening of the Human Factor Management Programme which monitors driver related issues such as driver fatigue, fitness for duty, sobriety andre-enforcement of medical surveillance and compulsory fitness for duty tests.
• A review of current driver training programmes to find a balance between route knowledge and the technical aspects of train driving.
• All drivers who have violated safety rules such as speeding and passing signals at danger in the past three to six months will be withdrawn from service and undergo refresher training courses as well as the recruitment of a select number of retired train drivers on a short term basis as mentors to newer train drivers.
• Being qualifying as a train driver, recruits must first become Metro guards and/or have extensive knowledge of the rail operating environment.

Disciplinary action against the driver involved in last Thursday's train accident has been completed, and the driver was dismissed yesterday. A total of 19 drivers are currently facing disciplinary hearings for offences ranging from speeding to passing signals at danger. These acts are viewed in a serious light and swift action will be taken against those found guilty. We will continue to cooperate with the Rail Safety regulator in its ongoing investigation of the two train accidents.

"Metrorail will not tolerate any deviation from the updated and strengthened safety procedures and will take stern action against any transgression by our employees.Our main mandate and commitment is to transport our passengers safely to and from their areas of work, school and recreation" said the Rail Division CEO, Mosenngwa Mofi.

Compensation of the two train accident victims:

PRASA is already in discussions with the two train accident victims for the provision of a once-off R20 million compensation directly to them outside lawyer and Attorney representation. The compensation will be over and above the payment of hospital bills and will be aimed only at provable train accident cases for the Soweto and Tshwane accidents.

Victims of the train accident will be able to collect their compensation in person or send a member of their family with all the relevant details as proof of their involvement in the accident. The Passenger Rail Agency is in the process of setting up walk-in compensation offices for the train accident victims at the Johannesburg Park Station and Orlando Station, the Tshwane Station walk in office is already opened.

"We are introducing a commuter insurance cover, based on a no fault system to all valid train ticket holders injured or killed in train accidents to ensure speedy assistance topassengers without delay" said PRASA Group CEO Lucky Montana.

Infrastucture investment by the PRASA:

The Passenger Rail Agency also acknowledged its current challenges with old assets and the planned procurement of new trains in the next three years. Infrastructure upgrades are underway with a Capital budget of R19.5 billion over the next three years in areas such as Rolling Stock, Signaling Upgrade Programme, and Station Upgrades amongst others.

"When Government established PRASA two years ago, it did so with the express intention of ensuring that it modernises the passenger rail system. PRASA's record of stabilising the passenger rail business, the implementation of key strategies aimed at positioning Rail as the number one mode ofpublic transport and the recently announced process of acquiring a new Rolling stock fleet and a new modern signaling systemattest to this. However, at the heart of the matter is the need to continue to protect our passengers from negligent behavior and ensure their safe travel by trains.

This is government and PRASA's most important mandate in the quest to change the face of public transportation" said Lucky Montana, PRASA group CEO.

Statement issued by Nana Zenani, Department of Transport, May 25 2011

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