- It has been a yr since GroundUp visited train stations in Mamelodi Gardens, Pienaarspoort, Greenview and Denneboom. The stations had been badly vandalised and unkept.
- PRASA, on the time, mentioned these stations can be working by March 2022 however it could seem that work solely started in May this yr.
- Many of the casual merchants who relied on enterprise from train commuters say they’re battling to make ends meet.
The deadline set by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for when trains will probably be totally operational in Pretoria has come and gone.
It’s been a yr since GroundUp visited 4 train stations in Mamelodi Gardens, Pienaarspoort, Greenview and Denneboom. All of them, together with Greenview which had not even been accomplished, had been badly vandalised, filthy and overgrown with grass. PRASA, in response to our questions, mentioned the stations can be useful by March 2022. However, work to restore the train tracks solely began in May this yr.
During a latest go to to Mamelodi Gardens station, we noticed employees putting in overhead cables. Many of the cables had been stripped and broken throughout lockdown. When we visited in 2021, the station regarded deserted and unkept. But partitions have since been painted and the general public bogs mounted and cleaned.
Nkele Montsho, an off-the-cuff dealer outdoors the station for 14 years, mentioned it had been years because the bogs had been useable. “The toilets were fixed around July. I now feel comfortable using them. Even on the other side of the platform, commuters are able to use those toilets now,” mentioned Montsho.
“We really need the trains to resume. We’re desperate because work is scarce. The trains are a real business booster. I can’t afford to buy food for my four children,” mentioned Montsho.
Another dealer, Jennifer Mashilo, mentioned: “It’s tough because there is no business. I’ve been selling here for eight years. I support four grandchildren with the money I make,” she mentioned.
A contract employee, who requested not to be named, advised GroundUp cable set up was full at Koedoespoort, Bossman and Pienaarspoort stations and nearly full at Mamelodi Gardens. “It’s just touch-ups. The train should be running by the end of October,” he mentioned.
Informal merchants Sophie Machata, and Jennifer Mashilo, have been promoting outdoors Mamelodi Gardens train station for greater than eight years. They mentioned merchants used to line up to promote varied items right here however have given up due to the unreliable train service.
At Pienaarspoort station, one other group of contract employees had simply accomplished the set up of overhead cables once we arrived. But little or no different work had been completed. Rubbish and cardboard bins had been scattered in buildings close to the ticket workplace. The public bogs had been locked, however smelly.
Between Greenview station, which has not been accomplished, and Pienaarspoort station, a few 30-minute stroll, we noticed 4 Fidelity safety officers. A patroller mentioned the guards had been there to safe the brand new infrastructure being put in.
Last yr, PRASA’s Noluvuyo Halana mentioned that the rail company’s R102-million challenge at Greenview station began in 2011 however halted in October 2018. She mentioned the appointed contractor had mentioned that due to unrest in the neighborhood, they may not full the challenge.
One of the badly vandalised buildings on the incomplete Greenview station.
Phomolong casual settlement resident Patrick Nyalunga has lived close to the station since 2007. Nyalunga works in Mountain View and used to depend on the train service to commute to work and again dwelling.
He mentioned commuters had to get off at Gardens which is a few 30-minute stroll. “In winter it’s not safe to walk. Some days, we would ask the driver to go slowly and we would take the risk and jump off just when the train passed Greenview,” mentioned Nyalunga. He mentioned over time, residents have pleaded with PRASA to get the station operating.
“There’s no change. The infrastructure is still the same,” mentioned patroller Gainy Modishane.
At Denneboom station, a discover was displayed on the entrance to let commuters know concerning the disruption to companies. Although it was in a greater state than different stations final yr, there was nonetheless garbage and a odor of urine close to the doorway.
A safety officer advised GroundUp that employees cleaned the station recurrently.
The Denneboom train station stays closed to the general public however appeared to be in a greater state than once we visited a yr in the past.
Thabo Lediga from Mamelodi East has a stall outdoors Tshwane Regional Mall, subsequent to Denneboom station. He final used the train to Bossman in February 2021.
“When the train is available, I can go to Johannesburg to stock up material and other goods I also sell like blankets and umbrellas. I hope the Johannesburg line will be brought back soon. For now we have to organise transport with other hawkers to buy our stock,” he mentioned.
PRASA spokesperson Andiswa Makanda, mentioned the Pretoria to Pienaarspoort line won’t be operating this week. “Testing has been commissioned in preparation for the service resumption.”
When requested concerning the Greenview station, Makanda mentioned on account of in depth vandalism, the challenge may have to be restarted. A brand new tender was marketed in September and the challenge is predicted to take 18 months after the contractor has been chosen, mentioned Makanda.
In an announcement on 26 September, Metrorail introduced that train companies on two strains in Gauteng North, the Mabopane to Pretoria line and the Saulsville to Pretoria line, are additionally suspended till additional discover.
© 2022 GroundUp. This article was first revealed here.