MBALULA IN A TRAIN FROM MABOPANE TO PRETORIA.
The Mabopane to Pretoria line, which was reopened on Monday, Minister Fikile Mbalula’s visit and train ride on Wednesday formed part of an oversight visit. “This place was declared a presidential priority. Today we are here to resume the service effectively,” Mbalula said on Wednesday Ths rail line services at least 300 000 commuters on a daily basis.
The CEO of the passenger rail agency Prasa, David Mphelo, said out of a budget of R1.4 billion, they have spent R700 million so far on repairs and refurbishments.
The rail line was shut down in August 2021 following three years of vandalism, theft, and signal glitches.Mphelo said they have hired 3100 security personnel and are also using less copper. This is the same line on which a train transporting President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 shuddered to a halt for two hours.
