The star Online
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Fana Peete
The SA Rail Commuter Corporation and Metrorail have invested R40-million in a three-year coach upgrading programme that will see 1 600 coaches completely refurbished by 2010.
This was announced yesterday by Transport Minister Jeff Radebe. Speaking at Pretoria railway station, where he attended the launch of the multimillion-rand coach-upgrading programme, Radebe said many commuters still preferred taxis to trains.
He said trains remained unattractive as a result of delays, overcrowding, lack of safety and unreliability. He added that commuters wanted crime-free and reliable trains that were always on time, adding that everything possible should be done to persuade people to use trains again.
Radebe said the coach-upgrading programme - launched by the SARCC and Metrorail - should therefore be seen as an urgent matter.
This programme included the introduction of the new 10M5 coaches.
However, he said while this was a milestone, the department could not be complacent until the economy was aggressively driven by a competitive and sustainable public transport system.
He said while the introduction of the 10M5 coaches would enhance customer service, there was a need to look beyond 2010 and consider recapitalising trains.
Radebe said the programme would make railway transport an efficient "mass people mover" because a full coach could transport between 85 and 120 commuters and reduce congestion on the roads.
Once commuters started returning to trains, a full train could replace more than 100 taxis or up to 380 cars on the country's roads. This could contribute to a reduction of carbon emissions by 80%.
He added that the introduction of new coaches would help to address the problem of the ageing commuter rail fleet.
Among the upgraded features on the 10M5 coaches are sliding doors with a warning system that signals when doors are closing. The doors lock when in a closed position and cannot be opened while the train is in motion.
The coaches have a public address system that allows for making announcements and broadcasting advertisements. There is also emergency lighting that can be used in case of a power failure, and the train has an improved temperature control system.
A total of 500 such coaches will be completed next year, 700 more in 2008 and the remaining 400 in 2009.