For thousands of Western Cape residents who rely on trains to get to work, school and other daily commitments, a new set of rail schedules could mean less time waiting on platforms and more predictable journeys, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Updated train timetables came into effect across several major routes on Monday, 8 June, with the changes designed to improve reliability, increase service frequency and make rail travel a more attractive option for commuters across the province.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku welcomed the revised schedules, describing them as an important step towards restoring confidence in passenger rail services.
‘Reliable public transport is essential for connecting residents to work, school and other opportunities. These timetable changes are an important step towards rebuilding confidence in passenger rail and encouraging more residents to use trains, helping to reduce road congestion and make daily travel easier,’ said Sileku.
The most significant increase comes on the Wellington Line, where daily services have expanded from eight trips to 19, as noted by the Western Cape Mobility Department.
Commuters travelling from Strand will also benefit from a new early morning departure to Cape Town, while passengers on the Central Line can expect timetable adjustments aimed at reducing delays and improving operational flow.
Another addition is an early morning service from Nolungile to Cape Town, intended to provide commuters with greater flexibility during peak travel periods.
Changes have also been made to peak-hour operations on the Cape Flats Line to improve efficiency across the network. Notably, services on the Southern Line remain unchanged.
Sileku added that the Western Cape Government would continue working alongside passenger rail authorities and other transport stakeholders to improve service delivery and encourage more people to return to rail travel.
‘We want rail to become the backbone of an integrated public transport system in our province. By improving train services, we can make it easier for more residents to choose rail as a safe and reliable way to travel, with shorter waiting times and more reliable journeys,’ he stated.
Residents can view the updated schedules through PRASA’s official train timetable platform.
Article by Lulama Klassen for Cape ETC
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