Metrorail Western Cape has suspended the South and Cape Flats lines as it faces telecommunications challenges. Photo: @CapeTownTrains / Twitter
Metrorail SUSPENDS services in these Western Cape areas…
Metrorail Western Cape has suspended services in parts of the Western Cape as it faces telecommunications challenges.
Metrorail Western Cape has suspended the South and Cape Flats lines as it faces telecommunications challenges. Photo: @CapeTownTrains / Twitter
Metrorail Western Cape has suspended the South and Cape Flats lines until their telecommunications challenges are resolved.
Metrorail is facing challenges after a tower was blown off by wind
Since Monday, 29 August, Metrorail has been experiencing telecommunications challenges. According to spokesperson Zino Mihi, the challenges were caused by a tower that was blown off by wind last Friday.
The lack of a tower has impacted radio telecommunications that are used by both the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet. Mihi said that telecommunications teams are currently on site where they are working to repair the tower.
Which areas are impacted by the tower?
The challenges are currently impacting the Salt River and Wynberg areas.
“As a safety control measure, the region is necessitated to suspend the service in the affected areas,”
said Mihi.
The Central and Northern Lines are operating a limited train service while the South and Cape Flats Lines are suspended. The South Line runs from Cape Town to Simonstown while the Cape Flats Line runs from Cape Town to Retreat.
The damage to the tower affects the communication flow between the Train Traffic Control Centre and the train crew. Metrorail said they would provide regular updates on their Twitter and Facebook pages.
WATCH: Threatening video from heavily-armed alleged Central Line extortion gangsters
Meanwhile, it was previously reported that the Central Line rebuild in Cape Town ground to a halt on Monday, 29 August, after an alleged extortion attempt by local gangsters who are demanding a cut. Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor, Angus McKenzie, vowed that restoration of the line was interrupted for the last time.
Work on the Central Line was stopped on Monday by alleged gang members who told workers employed by a contractor to vacate the area.
“Workers were threatened and intimidated and eventually cleared the site to avoid any further problems,” said McKenzie.
He called a meeting with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and Transnet, to discuss the lack of security for workers. It was scheduled for the next day and the police would also be present, said the Sub-council chairperson. Read the full story here.
