R170 Billion Project Launched to Improve South African Railways

All aboard safer trains for South Africans! 

In the wake of the tragic murder of Metrorail train driver Piet Botha, it’s been announced that the Western Cape will see an intensive multibillion-rand national strategy unfold to upgrade current security systems and rail infrastructure within the forthcoming decade.

Led by the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, the R170 billion plan will involve a new fleet of modern trains to replace the older models, along with numerous station and depot upgrades, up-to-date train control systems, revised ticketing systems and better telecommunications.

The plan is to implement camera surveillance across key stations – 16 stations have already been fitted with CCTV cameras and this number will increase considerably over the next few years. Cape Town Station has 120 cameras alone, due to its size and prominence.

Our thoughts go out to Piet Botha’s family and friends. Let us hope that these improved safety measures will make public transport safer and more accessible to everyone in the future.

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