Passenger railway bridges and tunnels deemed unsafe

24 January 2024

A response to a written parliamentary question has uncovered alarming safety lapses at Western Cape train stations. Shockingly, six-passenger bridges have been officially declared unsafe, requiring R59 million for rehabilitation. Four underground passenger tunnels have also been flagged as unsafe, with a repair cost of R75,000 per tunnel and a total of R300,000 for the dysfunctional quartet.

Even more disturbing is the revelation that these underground tunnel repairs only provide a mere four months of functionality before requiring repairs again. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) further admits that there are currently about two to three passenger tunnels that the agency has to repair each month.

This unsettling reality prompts serious questions about the ANC National's commitment to ensuring the safety of railway passengers. Despite the glaring safety issues, the ANC National Government refuses to devolve passenger rail services to capable metropolitans, like the City of Cape Town.

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape will be writing a letter to PRASA, urging them to disclose which bridges and underground tunnels have been deemed unsafe. The safety of commuters is of utmost importance and requires immediate action.

Issued by Derrick America, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Mobility, 24 January 2024