Cape Town - In a further spiralling state of rail-related events, both the Southern and Northern Lines have suffered another round of train service cancellations following even more incidents of equipment failure and breakdown.
Metrorail advised commuters to use "their own transport", on Monday, while they said they would run a shuttle service from Kraaifontein to Bellville.
Metrorail acting spokesperson Nana Zenani, said a fibre break was detected in Cape Town, and the Rail Management and Traffic Control Centre (RMTCC), which supported the panels with operations.
"Vandalism was responsible for the interruption. It is also estimated that 50 metres of wire were also stolen, disrupting the Northern Line corridor, according to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR)," said Zenani.
She said their technicians were working around the clock to fix the region's telecoms problem. Zenani said vandalism of TFR substation has also affected overhead power at Wellington.
#SouthernLineCT
— Metrorail W/Cape (@CapeTownTrains) October 26, 2021
Due to ongoing repairs between Fish Hoek and Steenberg as a result of previous vandalism, the line has not been declared safe for operations.
#NorthernLineCT
— Metrorail W/Cape (@CapeTownTrains) October 26, 2021
•Vandalism (overhead power failure) at the Huguenot substation results in suspension of service between Wellington and Kraaifontein until further notice.
•Commuters are advised to make use of own alternative transport between Kraaifontein and Wellington.
Transport and Public Works chairperson in the legislature, Ricardo Mackenzie, said Metrorail also announced that the Cape Flats line would be suspended owing to the various telecommunication breakdowns which occurred.
Mackenzie said that was in addition to similar breakdowns being experienced in Cape Town, Woodstock and at the RMTCC, which contributed to further delays and possible cancellations being realised.
"Over the past few weeks, we have seen how Metrorail has often sent notifications moments before most people have to leave for their work or in many cases people already enroute to stations or at their respective stations," said Mackenzie.
He said not only was that a massive inconvenience – it was completely unfair and unacceptable to thousands of commuters.
United Commuters' Voice spokesperson João Jardim said they have demanded that the transport minister implement a by-law that prohibits any scrap dealer from buying scrap without keeping records of the seller's ID documents and proof of address.
United National Transport Union spokesperson Sonja Carstens said they were very disappointed by the communities living next to the railway lines, for not safeguarding Prasa's infrastructure, as it was part of the national asset that benefited the poorest of the poor to get to work at an affordable cost.