South African rail summary

[John Ashworth]

South African rail summary received from an unknown source today, 15/07/2020.

Transnet Freight Rail operations are largely returning to normal, with about 50 - 80% of trains back in operation.

Blue Train, Rovos Rail and Shongololo operations remain suspended.

Gautrain is running services, although at reduced levels in some cases.

PRASA/Metrorail is running a VERY limited service around the country.

In Gauteng, only one route from Pretoria - Mamelodi - Pienaarspoort is operating. Due to incessant overhead cable theft only a peak period service consisting of 5 diesel-hauled trains per direction is being run (20 trains per day).

In the Western Cape only one corridor, Cape Town - Claremont - Retreat, is running a restricted peak period service with 5 train sets running just 6 trains per peak (12 trains per day).

In the Eastern Cape, a limited peak period service is running between Port Elizabeth - Uitenhage and East London - Berlin, with 4 trains scheduled per peak on each route (16 trains per day).

In KZN only a limited off-peak service has commenced, serving the Umlazi - Durban and kwaMashu - Dalbridge routes, with 6 train sets running 32 trains between 08:00 and 16:00. This service is due to be expanded to cover the period 07:00 to 17:00 from Monday and will increase to 58 trains worked by 12 train sets, running daily except Sundays.

Long distance passenger operator MLPS/Shosholoza Meyl remains suspended countrywide.

The few remaining heritage/preservation operations continue to be suspended until further notice.