South Africa Government

07/25/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/25/2022 07:37

Minister Fikile Mbalula takes a train ride on reopened lines of Central Corridor, 26 Jul

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula takes a train ride on the central line as services resumes for the first time in two years

PRASA is pleased to announce the reopening of certain lines of the Central Corridor: Cape Town to Langa via Pinelands and Langa to Bellville via Sarepta on the 26th of July 2022. The service resumption forms part of phase 1 of the Central Line recovery programme.

The Central Line was closed in 2019 due to theft and vandalism and the recovery work of the corridor was further hampered by illegal occupations on the rail network during the level 5 lockdown.

The Minister of Transport, Mr. Fikile Mbalula, together with the PRASA Board and Management, and other key stakeholders, will on Tuesday take a train ride on the reopened lines as part of the Minister's oversight visit.

The Minister will also undertake a visit to the earmarked land for the families who will be relocated from Central Line in phase 1 of the relocation process and engage with the affected communities illegally occupying the railway network.

A media briefing will conclude the Minister's visit.

The event will compromise of three parts:

PART I: Train ride from Cape Town to Bellville

PART II : Visit to the earmarked land for relocation

PART III: Community Meeting and Media Briefing

The Media is thus invited to cover the event as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 26 July 2022
Venue: Cape Town Station
Time: 8h30 for 9h00
Train departs at 9h00

Members of the media are advised to park their cars at Cape Town Station.

Attending media is requested to confirm their attendance with Mr Esethu hasane on 071 259 2442 or [email protected](link sends e-mail) / Sam Monareng on 073 491 3382 or [email protected](link sends e-mail)

Media enquiries:
Lwazi Khoza
Ministry of Transport Spokesperson
Cell: 081 766 2440