Vandalised East London and Gqeberha rail route almost completed

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has announced the imminent return of trains back on their tracks after being vandalised.

The track connecting two Eastern Cape cities, East London and Gqeberha was vandalised a couple of months ago which prompted the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to shut down movement of trains along the route.

VANDALISED TRACK SOON TO BE OPERATIONAL

In a statement, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport reported:

“PRASA is pleased to announce that final preparations are underway to resume limited services on the EL and Gqebherha corridors.

The line was closed some 5 months ago, on the 7th of January. This was due to severe vandalism and cable theft”.

The Department said the limited service was scheduled to resume on 23 June 2022 for both corridors, running one train in the morning going to the CBD and one train in the afternoon returning from the CBD.

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An adjusted train timetable has been created to cater for the limited service.

TRAIN ROUTES DESIRED BY COMMUTERS

In light of this, the residents of East London couldn’t wait for other routes to be opened as trains are considered to be the only cheapest mode of transport left in South Africa.

The likes of Wanga Sbewu and Mawonga Zeze pleaded with the department to reintroduce the line connecting East London to Mthatha via Butterworth. They also pleaded for a route from East London to Cape Town and Gauteng.