Metrorail's plans to improve train services

The Five Point Plan will look at service re-design to improve journey times and manage overcrowding, the introduction of user-friendly time tables, the acceleration of infrastructure improvements, security of passengers and assets and operational safety.

The Plan will mainly focus on the redesign of the service to respond to challenges of slow journey times and overcrowding.

Speaking in Johannesburg on Thursday, Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Rail Operations Chief Executive Officer Mosenngwa Mofi said the implementation of the plan is a demonstration of a commitment from Metrorail to improve the current service despite the current operational challenges.

"The reality is that the old and poor conditions of rolling stock and infrastructure impact negatively on the ability of Metrorail in achieving its objectives of delivering quality services to customers," he said.

This, according to Mofi, results in poor operational performance, overcrowding on many corridors at peak periods, slow journey times and operational safety risks.

"The prolonged underinvestment in passenger rail has led to the general deterioration of the general rail asset both rolling stock and infrastructure.

"Our resolve to operate a service that is truly customer-centric has never been greater," he said, adding that the benefits of the current investment programme will be realised in the medium to long-term.

Metrorail provides a critical service to over two million commuters daily and runs 2 200 train trips daily and over the years it has experienced serious challenges that have impacted on the reliability of the commuter rail service.

Mofi said they were doing everything they could to improve on service delivery. "We have to meet customers' expectations," he said.

Over the last year on-time performance was 80% and at the end of June 2013 the average on-time performance stood at 82.6%.

"We are encouraged by this steady progress which must reach 90% in the foreseeable future," he said.