Mitchells Plain railway corridor restoration at final stages

Passenger Rail Agency (PRASA) said delays on the completion of the Kapteinsklip station, Mitchells Plain corridor was due to vandalism and other factors but that its rehabilitation was at its final testing and safety clearances stage.

Commuters have waited nearly six years for the railway corridor in Mitchells Plain to be restored.

PRASA confirmed that Mitchells Plain, Lentegeur and Kapteinsklip stations and railway lines were expected to have been completed by June but that supply-chain challenges, relocation of settlements, vandalism, and the impact of material delivery had seen it have a setback.

PRASA added the total costs aligned with the budget which had been earmarked would be revealed soon.

PRASA's spokesperson, Zinobulani Mihi explained what caused the delays: “The expected completion date was initially set for June. However, delays were caused primarily by persistent community instability, vandalism, relocation of settlements (long term) and supply-chain challenges, impacting material delivery. These factors have influenced project timelines and costs. 

“A full update on budget implications will be communicated through PRASA’s official reporting channels.”

She added that all three railway stations along the corridor the Mitchells Plain (Town Centre) was near completion.

“The Kapteinsklip line (with Kapteinsklip Station being the end station) consists of 2 other stations. Namely, Lentegeur and Mitchells Plain, these 3 stations are the only stations before it joins Philippi station,” she stated.

“The recovery and reopening of key corridors remain a priority for PRASA, with the objective of restoring affordable, safe, and reliable passenger rail services to communities across the province.”

She detailed that work at Kapteinsklip station was at an advanced stage, focusing on track rehabilitation, Overhead Traction Equipment (OHTE) and station refurbishments. 

“While progress has been made, final testing and safety clearances (Railway Safety Regulator) are required before the line can be reopened to commuters. A revised timeline and confirmed date of resumption will be communicated once all operational and safety requirements are met,” she advised.

Michael Jacobs, of the Mitchells Plain United Residents Association elaborated that the completion of the line would mean a financial ease for commuters.

“An operational train service will ensure that commuters will now have a cheaper option than the bus and taxi services that's operating currently. It will also decrease the amount of vehicles on the road as the City's roads have become very congested,” he added.

Malvern de Bruyn, Western Cape secretary, Congress of South African Trade Union expressed his disappointment in the non-functional railway line network in Mitchells Plain which has been  dormant for years.

“This situation represents a massive failure in public transport planning and service delivery, with severe consequences for the working class and our communities,” he said.

“The  Central Line is the economic lifeline for the Cape Flats.

“Commuters are forced to use more expensive alternatives like taxis and buses, consuming a substantial portion of their income.

“Unreliable and expensive transport makes it harder for people to get to work on time and sustain employment and it cuts off a cheap and efficient link to the economic hubs of Cape Town.

"Kapteinsklip and Lentegeur Stations is strategically located to serve the Western part of Mitchells Plain and is a key interchange that also serves the central areas.

“The community and the working class have been waiting for the return of train services for years.”

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