Pretoria - Gauteng Transport MEC Ismail Vadi says Metrorail is well on its way to becoming the preferred public transport operator in high-volume corridors in the province.
“Today, we have received information on the planned improvements of Metrorail in Gauteng. These augur well for the future. Essentially, they entail three key programmes, namely, the modernisation of its signalling and telecommunications systems; the acquisition of new rolling stock, and the renovation of train stations along Prasa’s modernisation corridor.
“These plans are consistent with the 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25) for Gauteng and will contribute to the further development of an integrated transport system in our province,” said MEC Vadi on Monday.
The Gauteng ITMP25 seeks to make rail at the backbone of public transport in the country’s most populous province, which is also South Africa’s economic heartland.
MEC Vadi said it was encouraging that both the current administration and the future government are committed to adequate funding for the modernisation and recapitalisation of the commuter rail system, particularly in Gauteng.
New signalling system
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) announced Siemens South Africa as its preferred bidder for the implementation of the new signalling system on its commuter rail network.
Phase 1 of this project started in January 2011 at a cost of over R1 billion, which is planned to be completed in 2016. This will replace the outdated copper cable signalling system that is prone to theft and the disruption of rail services.
A key aspect of this project includes the construction (at a cost of R175 million) of a Centralised Control Centre for Gauteng.
The construction of the state-of-the-art control centre is due to start next month and is scheduled to be fully operational by March 2015. It will centralise 43 signal cabins into one building, resulting in greater efficiency and effectiveness in operational control over trains.
The new system will replace the old practice of mechanical interlocking or the manual changing of signals by pulling of leavers. Through this railway signalling replacement initiative, train signal changes will be fully automated, which also means improved safety for passengers, greater reliability and punctuality of trains.
Modern rolling stock
The modern signalling system will lay the foundation for the introduction of new, modern rolling stock.
Prasa is in the process of getting 3 000 new and modern coaches to replace the old and outdated trains.
“We hope to see the first new trains running on the tracks in 2015,” said MEC Vadi.
In Gauteng, the key corridor is identified as the Mabopane–Pretoria–Germiston–Johannesburg– Soweto corridor, including the Tembisa loop and the circular access network around the Johannesburg CBD.
These upgraded and modernised corridors will be capable of moving over 50 000 passengers per direction in the peak times, and reach up to 120km per hour on open track sections. – SAnews.gov.za
