News South Africa

MEC and Metrorail butt heads

A public spat has erupted between Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle and the head of Metrorail in the province, Mthuthuzeli Swartz.
Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle. (Image: Western Cape Government)
Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle. (Image: Western Cape Government)

The bone of contention is the "last-minute" cancellation of Carlisle's scheduled inspection of the company's depot in Cape Town this week.

On Tuesday, Carlisle said Swartz had accused him of creating "negative publicity" whenever he visited a Metrorail facility.

"I find it hard to accept that the negative publicity surrounding Metrorail is caused by me. I had thought it was caused by late trains, cancelled trains, trains covered in graffiti, passengers who are assaulted and robbed, and, more recently, despite no improvement of any kind in the service, a huge fare hike," said Carlisle.

Swartz hit back yesterday, accusing Carlisle of seizing every opportunity to "publicly lambaste" his company.

"We urge the MEC to put equal pressure on his colleagues in the cabinet to provide extra resources to tackle the devastating effect of crime within the communities," said Swartz.

The visit had been postponed to allow Lucky Montana, the group CEO, to accompany Carlisle on the tour, he said.

Carlisle dismissed Swartz's allegations and accused him of not cooperating with him or the City of Cape Town over fares. He "lamented the deteriorating" service: "Sometimes it appears to me that Swartz and his team have no understanding of the daily misery of being a Metrorail commuter."

Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge

Source: I-Net Bridge

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