With alert level 3 nationwide lockdown sub-regulations looming in the country, the Portfolio Committee on Road and Transport in Gauteng has raised its concerns on the readiness of transportation, especially that of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa)/Metrorail.
This follows after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday that the country will move to level 3 of the lockdown from the 1st of June. Workers who were temporarily relieved from their duties after the Covid-19 outbreak and school learners of Grades 12 and 7 are expected to go back to work and school on the same date.
The Committee says plans presented by the rail institution are dissatisfying and could lead to a public transport disaster during the period. Committee Chairperson Dumisani Dakile says they are obliged to conduct an oversight in order to ensure the provision of social protection statutory services, to safeguard the wellbeing of commuters during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dakile says the presentation outlined by the rail institution also revealed that Prasa will only have one line operating in the northern part of Gauteng, leaving out the rest of the province. He further stated that issues of safety, security and screening measures presented by the Administrator of Prasa were not reassuring to the committee.
Some of the doubts were prompted by the fact that Prasa has no indication on average figures of their daily commuters, therefore making their mitigation plans feeble, as they are not well-informed.
“As the Committee, we understand that Prasa is under administration. We are also aware of the immense challenges faced by the institution prior to even the lockdown. However, our responsibility as the committee is to ensure that all public transport in the province is ready to provide service by ensuring there is effective measures in place for the safe travel of commuters.
“Unfortunately, Prasa has not been convincing in their plans that they are ready to rise to the occasion. The committee is expecting a revised presentation that is tangible, informed and reassuring that Prasa is ready to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic in trains,” said Dakile.
The Committee requested the province's MEC for Roads and Transport Jacob Mamabolo to convene an urgent meeting with all modes of transport institutions, including Prasa, to consolidate all public transport plans and put together an integrated plan ensuring effective transport in the province during level 3 of lockdown.
The meeting is scheduled to take place this week and the Committee is expecting feedback by the end of the week.
Cover image: Daily Maverick
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