Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has attributed the disuse of trains refurbished by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to infrastructure damage caused by theft and vandalism that affected the railway lines where the old fleet could be used.

Creecy said Prasa has embarked on a rebuilding and recovery programme to revitalise the lines and introduce new trains in the recovered lines.

“The old fleet trains may be best utilised in lines and corridors that are mainly outside the metros. Most of these lines are owned by Transnet, and Prasa is in discussion with Transnet on the recovery of these lines for use to transport passengers,” she said.

Some of the refurbished old fleet trains are being used in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, said Creecy when responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Omphile Maotwe.

Her response comes after Prasa spent R2.5 billion of the R7.5 billion of the General Overhaul Project to refurbish the old grey-and-yellow rolling stock.

In June, Prasa told the Portfolio Committee on Transport it has no plans to spend the remaining R5 billion on the refurbishment of the coaches.

Creecy revealed that a total of 272 coaches have been refurbished to date.

“About 183 refurbished coaches have not yet been deployed to operations. There are no coaches that have been refurbished that have been discarded,” she said.

According to Creecy, Prasa is reviewing the use of the refurbished trains.

This could result in internal use of the coaches, leasing to private companies as part of reform in the rail sector and selling to potential buyers within the SADC.

Prasa was looking into options to utilise coaches hauled by diesel locomotives on non-electrified lines, optimise operations in the Eastern Cape by introducing more train services, and partner with other organs of state to repurpose some of the refurbished coaches.

“Once completed, the review will be processed for consideration by the board and shareholders,” Creecy said.

Meanwhile, the minister confirmed that Prasa was considering the cancellation of contracts linked to the R7.5 billion train refurbishment project of its coaches.

Creecy said Prasa was undertaking an option analysis to determine the best way forward with regard to the general overhaul contracts.

“Prasa has sought legal advice on the matter.” 

Creecy also said her department was working closely with Prasa to ensure that the options analysis supports the long-term goals of rebuilding a reliable, affordable, and accessible public rail system.

She was responding to a different set of questions from Maotwe when she asked what legal advice had been sought from Prasa regarding the potential financial and contractual consequences of the cancellation of the contracts.

Maotwe also enquired about the risk assessment that has been conducted to determine the possible legal claims and liabilities Prasa could face from contractors of the contracts that were terminated, as well as the impact of the cancellation of the contracts on the rail industry, public funds already spent, and the future viability of commuter rail services.

Creecy said the risk assessment, which included evaluating potential legal claims and liabilities arising from possible contract termination, is currently being concluded.

“This forms part of wider options aimed at guiding Prasa’s decision in a legally and financially sound manner.”

The impact study on the implications for the rail industry, public funds already invested, and the future viability of commuter rail services was being finalised.

Creecy said the findings will be integrated into a comprehensive options analysis to ensure that any decisions taken are informed and aligned with broader strategic objectives.

“No decision has been made that will impact the alignment with long-term goals of rebuilding a reliable, affordable, and accessible public rail system,” she said.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za

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