Thousands of Western Cape Metrorail commuters left stranded after Eskom cuts power

Share this article: Share Tweet Share Share Share Email Share

Cape Town - Thousands of commuter rail passengers were stranded on Thursday afternoon after Eskom disconnected traction supply in the Western Cape. Metrorail spokesperson Rianna Scott said Eskom declared Metrorail a priority user at the start of load shedding and a cut of traction power was unprecedented. "Given the devastating impact of Eskom’s action in the Western Cape, urgent discussions between Eskom and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) executives are underway to find a sustainable solution without further impact on commuters." Scott said the loss of power across the region also means that the usual operational alternatives such as electronic/manual authorisation and diesel locomotives were not available leaving 289 000 commuters without rail transport. Scott said due to the prevailing situation, "all stations were closed this afternoon. No single/return tickets are being sold. Trains stuck in section will be taken to depots and commuters on trains will be assisted to the nearest station."

Acting regional manager Raymond Maseko appealed to customers to be patient and to comply with employee instructions.

"Every effort is being made to resolve the issue with our electricity provider to restore services as soon as possible," Maseko said.

He said that the human impact of the action was substantial, "on average 590 000 commuters use our trains each weekday to get to work and back".

Prasa spokesperson, Makhosini Mgitywa said the process to make a payment was underway and Prasa was optimistic that power would be restored soon to enable the train service in the region to resume operations.

"We also wish to assure affected commuters and other stakeholders that while Prasa is facing a cash-flow crunch, it is however not bankrupt."

Furthermore, Mgitywa said Prasa would continue to engage national Treasury in an effort to have the rail agency’s capital expenditure converted to operational expenditure.

"This will undoubtedly ease Prasa’s financial woes and allow the company to make some payments to suppliers."

Eskom did not want to comment on the matter.

[email protected]