Three weeks to fix train damage

Allafrica.com reports that the Passenger Rail Association of SA (PRASA) says it will take at least three weeks before train services can get back to normal in some parts of Gauteng. Lightning struck an electricity substation in Kaalfontein this week, severely damaging the signalling panel and disrupting train services between Johannesburg and Pretoria and most parts of the East Rand.

The damage has affected thousands of train commuters in the province.

In media briefing, PRASA provincial manager Thembela Khulu said the agency would spend about R500 000 to fix the signalling system, with the work expected to be completed on Monday, but that a further three weeks will be needed to fix lightning damage at Kaalfontein station. "The first phase of our contingency plan will focus on repairing the outside stations," Khulu said, dismissing reports that PRASA planned to introduce busses to ferry commuters affected by the incident. Instead, she said, Metrorail has stationed technical teams to manually authorise the movement of trains with delays of between 15 and 20 minutes expected.

"We sincerely regret this serious disruption and will do everything in our power to address it. We urge commuters to plan their trips with the knowledge that there will be delays in travelling," said Khulu. According to Allafrica.com, up to 199 scheduled trains per day had been affected by the damage with 82 of those coming from Pretoria, 117 from Leralla and 28 from Johannesburg.

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