Prasa steps up security on trains with deployment of 9 000 volunteers
Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula says the Passenger Rail
Agency of South Africa (Prasa) must be able to generate its own revenue and not
just rely on government handouts.
He was speaking at the launch of a new awareness programme for commuters in Tshwane on Monday.
Mbalula says the campaign will take the needs of commuters into consideration and keep them informed of any developments.
“The interventions will include community projects creating opportunities for women and youth-owned co-operatives in areas such as cleaning of stations, as well as construction and maintenance of stations.”
Mbalula said government is aware that poor train services disproportionately affect the poor.
“There is no doubt that the criminality that continues to ravage our railway environment undermines efforts to modernise the commuter rail system and delivery of a service that is safe, reliable and affordable. When a cable is stolen resulting in delays, the worker who loses their job as a result is somebody’s parent or sibling.
“When the track is stolen, resulting in derailment, the commuter who loses their life is somebody’s relative.”
The department hired a total of 9 860 community-based volunteers to focus on stations and corridors hardest hit by crime.
The volunteers will be trained to will assist with efforts to reduce crime and vandalism inside trains, platforms and ticket offices.
“Community volunteers will be in partnership with Prasa for a duration of 12 months and will undertake various key integration activities under the guidance of Prasa security. The third phase entails the integration of a total of 20 volunteers from each station area in the 46 Prasa corridors.
“A total of 1 500 police reservists will be deployed and trained across all 46 corridors. The long-distance train corridors will exclusively make use of the existing railway police contingent.”
