The launch date of Metrorail’s new trains has been pushed forward to Tuesday, April 9, in an effort to “accommodate the diaries of its guests”.
As previously reported, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is preparing to roll out its new trains at Cape Town Station, and the grand reveal will allegedly be hosted by the Minister of Transport, Blade Nzimande. At the reveal, a mockup train will be launched to be piloted ahead of the entire fleet’s rollout.
As reported by IOL, the mockup train, which was supposed to be launched on Tuesday, April 2, will be unveiled on Platform 24. The mockup will be a single coach that will be used to demonstrate the train’s features to the public.
The new features will include CCTV cameras, on-board communications between driver and commuters, air conditioning, and emergency communications for disabled passengers.
Speaking to IOL, United National Transport Union spokesperson Sonja Carstens said the union was happy to hear that the new trains would be deployed in the Western Cape. “We thoroughly believe it is a step in the right direction,” she said.
She added that the trains will also be fireproof.
Last October, the PRASA board Parliament’s transport committee put forward a 58-page document titled “Interventions to Recover the Service”. This document included plans to expand CCTV surveillance in high-risk areas.
Picture: Twitter