Bongani Mlangeni
17 April 2007
The South African Rail Commuter Corporation (SARCC) is to spend almost R5-million this year on roadshows, safety workshops and media campaigns to educate the public and initiate dialogue on rail safety.
Speaking to reporters in Johannesburg on Thursday, SARCC group executive for operations compliance, Enos Ngutshane, said the campaign would be a year-long programme, themed "Working together to accelerate rail safety".
The SARCC is an agency of the Department of Transport which is responsible for the provision of commuter rail services in South Africa.
"Theft of non-ferrous metal, in particular overhead traction and signal cables, train doors and other valuable train and signalling components, are exposing the business to unacceptably high safety, security and punctuality risks," Ngutshane said.
Every year the SARCC spends almost R20-million to repair properties damaged as a result of arson, vandalism and theft of railway assets.
The safety awareness campaign will make rail users aware of the dangers of practices such as "train surfing" and pedestrians crossing railway lines, as well as the dangers of opening doors while the train is in motion.
A National Commuter Newspaper to focus on providing safety information to commuters will also be launched in May.
"Our efforts will be strengthened as we work with motorists and communities residing next to level crossings. We do all these to provide maximum safety and ensure that commuters travel comfortably.
"During our turn around strategy we intend reducing crime levels by 15% and further improve safety levels by 30%," Ngutshane said.
The SARCC's work was motivated by the impact made by the establishment of the South African Police Service Railway Police Unit. Its Cape Town network had already seen a 31.6% reduction in the level of crime on and around trains.
"We are still on track to have more than 5 000 rail police in time for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. They will add to more than 6 000 metro rail guards deployed in all regions to respond to safety hindrances," he said.
Ngutshane said the work that has been done by the company's safety ambassadors, including former students who engaged in train surfing, would also be strengthened.
"Our investments of almost R500 000 towards the education of 30 former staff-riders over the next three years is a living testimony that we are a people-centred company," he added.
Source: BuaNews
