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South Africa steps up rail security

Nthambeleni Gabara

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8 July 2009

The government is paying special attention to improving security measures within the rail environment, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele told the National Council of Provinces in Cape Town last week.

"It is of no use to spend billions of rands in transport infrastructure and services without making sure that transport users are safe," he said while delivering his department's budget vote.

He said that the department would, in cooperation with the South African Police Service, build the security-related infrastructure required for the rollout of a dedicated Rail Police unit.

Rollout 'on course'

Ndebele informed the council that the construction of rail police stations in Cape Town, Retreat, Bellville and Phillipi in the Western Cape was complete, while more than 1 700 rail police officers were actively patrolling stations and trains.

Construction of rail police stations are also at an advanced stage in Durban, Reunion, Cavendish and KwaMashu in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as in Tshwane (Pretoria), Denneboom, Mabopane, Germiston, New Canada and Johannesburg in Gauteng province.

The Cape Town network has already seen a 32% reduction in crime-related incidents, and fare evasion has reduced from nine percent to four percent, he said, adding that the benefits of the initiative were clear, and that it would be rolled out in all nine provinces.

Rail passenger investment

Last week, the department announced that the new state-owned rail and bus operator, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, would invest about R25-billion in passenger rail infrastructure.

R14-billion of the amount will be spent on upgrading infrastructure and rolling stock, while the rest will be used for funding rail operations.

Source: BuaNews