Full steam for Bloem to Maseru train

6 Feb 2012

Free State MEC for roads and transport Butana Khompela has unveiled plans to introduce a mainline train between Bloemfontein and Maseru, in neighbouring Lesotho.

Addressing the media in Bloemfontein on Wednesday, Komphela said there was currently no such service.

"Introducing a train that would travel between Bloemfontein and Lesotho, via Thaba Nchu, Botshabelo, Ladybrand, Ficksburg and other areas will definitely reduce the congestion that is currently experienced in the N8 route," he said.

There is no railway line within Lesotho, but the South African railway line to Bloemfontein and Bohlokong (freight only) runs along the north-western Lesotho border, with a stop in Ficksburg.

Komphela said the train was also expected to travel between Kimberley in Northern Cape and Maseru.

He said they were talking to all the stakeholders concerned, including Transnet.

Komphela said he was not pleased with the number of fatalities recorded in Free State during the festive season period.

Free State had 98 fatalities last year and 95 in 2010.

Komphela blamed reckless driving as one of the main causes.

"Since December we have removed about four Road Link buses on our roads. Those buses were in a shocking state.

"Those buses are moving coffins and we do not want them on our roads unless they have been checked by our testing team," he added.

The general-secretary of the SA National Taxi Council, Phillip Taaibosch, said they would work with the Free State department of transport to reduce the number of accidents in the province.

He said most road deaths occurred because of negligent drivers and unroadworthy vehicles.

He urged all road users to adhere to traffic rules and drive safely.

Taaibosch said it was time all South Africans became more vigilant about road safety.

Source: Sowetan via I-Net Bridge

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