eThekwini Municipality and PRASA collaborate to enhance Durban's rail services
Repairs are under way on the Chatsworth railway line in September 2025. A proposed improvement of the rail corridor was discussed between the eThekwini Municipality and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers
Durban’s broken rail corridor is on track for a comeback as officials hammer out a deal to revive stations and tighten safety.
eThekwini Municipality and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) are finalising a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at tackling “years of neglect” and bringing order back to the city’s battered rail network.
The agreement, approved at a council meeting this month, will focus on cleaning up vandalised and hijacked stations.
It also aims to improve security and to integrate passenger rail with Durban’s wider urban development plan.
The move follows a 2024 stakeholder meeting where PRASA outlined its strategy to boost passenger services, create safer transport hubs, and promote smarter land use around stations to drive economic activity.
If signed, the MOU will mark a joint commitment to restore rail as a backbone of the city’s transport system and reclaim public spaces lost to crime and decay.
“Through the agreement, both parties will work towards the promotion of mixed-use development in and around rail station precincts, incorporating residential, commercial, and social infrastructure,” the municipality stated.
A report noted progress that PRASA has made in service recovery along major rail lines, including KwaMashu, uMlazi, Cato Ridge, and the South Coast corridor.
Thinta Cibane, ANC eThekwini regional spokesperson, welcomed the strategic engagement held between PRASA regional leadership and the Mayor of eThekwini, Councillor Cyril Xaba.
“The ANC views the proposed Durban–Johannesburg high-speed rail project as a transformative initiative that holds immense potential to stimulate economic growth, enhance tourism, and foster greater interconnectivity between KwaZulu-Natal and inland provinces,” he said.
Cibane said the ANC supported Xaba’s call for the acceleration of this project, which will not only boost trade and tourism but also create jobs and improve mobility for thousands of commuters.
“We commend PRASA for the progress it continues to make in repairing rail infrastructure damaged by repeated flooding, including in Umlazi, KwaMashu, and Pinetown. The rehabilitation of critical rail signals and related infrastructure will undoubtedly improve train efficiency, reduce delays, and restore public confidence in passenger rail as a reliable mode of transport.”
Cibane added that the ANC welcomed the commitment made by the municipality to partner with PRASA in tackling challenges such as illegal dumping and encroachment on rail reserves.
He said these interventions are essential to safeguard the integrity of our rail network and ensure that investments being made yield sustainable results.
“The ANC in eThekwini reiterates its support for initiatives that advance integrated, safe, and affordable public transport. We believe that this partnership between the municipality and PRASA is a step in the right direction towards building a modern transport system that underpins economic development and improves the lives of our people, strengthening partnerships for the advancement of safe, reliable, and affordable public transport for all,” he said.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
A proposed improvement of the rail corridor was discussed between the eThekwini Municipality and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).
Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers