Prasa's long-distance passenger trains back on track in time for Christmas

The Passenger Rail Agency of SA's (Prasa) long-distance passenger trains are due to begin operating from December 15 after almost a year's absence.

Times and dates of the revived Shosholoza Meyl services were announced on Wednesday, with trains departing in each direction from Johannesburg and East London on December 15.

Long-distance passenger train services were suspended in January because of Covid-19 and widespread vandalism along numerous routes where overhead electric power cables were stolen and stations destroyed.

The first six months will see Prasa focus on employee and customer safety, bringing back customers, generating revenue and sustainability, the rail agency said.

Along with the Johannesburg-East London route, services will also operate on the lines to Gqeberha, Bloemfontein via Kimberley and to Musina via Polokwane.

The first train to Gqeberha is due to depart on December 17, along with a train from Johannesburg to Bloemfontein via Kimberley.

For passengers heading from Johannesburg to Limpopo and Zimbabwe, the first train is due to depart Johannesburg for Musina on December 23. 

There are no trains listed for the Johannesburg to Cape Town or Johannesburg-Durban routes.

Prasa did not say why Cape Town and Durban had been omitted from the schedule. Both corridors have been plagued by scrap metal thieves and the route west from Johannesburg's Park Station to Krugersdorp is impassable. 

Prasa's toll free ticket line 086 000 8888 was back in operation, the company added.

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