The DA in the Western Cape shares Metrorail Commuters’ impatience with delays and disruptions in the Cape Town Metro. Our people deserve a much better service than what is currently provided.
I will write to the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, in my capacity as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament, and call upon her to assist Metrorail Western Cape to alleviate the damages caused by the fire. Minister Peters must intervene as Metrorail is a PRASA entity and is thus a national mandate.
Last week the service was threatened by illegal strike action and the weekend saw criminal elements causing serious damage after an arson attack at Cape Town Station. Metrorail is working hard every day to improve on its services. However, with a crumbling infrastructure, trains that are ready for retirement as well as labour tensions, they are fighting a losing battle.
I call on all parties to work together in the best interest of commuters, which means that PRASA needs to take the situation in Cape Town seriously and assist the working relationship between Metrorail and the unions. It is also critical that unions be willing to collaborate. Every avenue must be exhausted before going to strike. I also call on the public to work with the law-enforcement agencies in ensuring that those responsible for the arson is brought to book and be punished accordingly.
I want to thank Metrorail’s technical teams for working hard to restore operations at three platforms at Cape Town Station, which have been reopened already. The DA in the Western Cape will continue to ensure that the people of this province have access to jobs and other opportunities.