Rail Officials Blame Government Underfunding for Poor Service

South Africa's passenger rail agency is struggling with financial burdens, and officials blame underinvestment on the federal government. Some questions now remain about whether train infrastructure will be ready to carry the crowds expected to travel throughout the country during the World Cup

The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) yesterday pinned the blame for the commuter rail parastatal's financial woes on underfunding from the Department of Transport, and on the poor performance of some of its own managers.

In an advertisement 'open letter' to the Democratic Alliance's (DA's) Manny de Freitas in Business Day yesterday, Prasa CEO Lucky Montana said a due-diligence report on Shosholoza Meyl, one of Prasa's subsidiaries, had revealed that the group required about R1,4bn a year to run this business "effectively".

South Africa: Passenger Rail Chief Blames 'Underfunding'
February 10, 2010

Johannesburg Train Station Upgraded Ahead of 2010

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has completed renovations on the Doornfontein station in Johannesburg, one of many stations being upgraded in anticipation of the World Cup.

It has access for passengers with special needs, CCTV cameras, a lengthened and resurfaced platform, and an area for retail and commercial activities. The project forms part of Prasa’s multi-million rand national station upgrade programme.

This will involve the refurbishing of the station network around the country for the 2010 Fifa World Cup and beyond.

...New stations are being built at Moses Mabhida in Durban, Windermere in Cape Town, and Rhodesfield in Johannesburg.

Upgraded R77m train station unveiled
Independent Online
June 11, 2009