new Business express between Huguenot (Paarl) and Cape Town

[allanroy]

Just read on the Metrorail website of a new Business express between Paarl and Cape Town starting 1 april 2010

A second luxury business class train takes to the rails from April this
year, this time operating between Huguenot – Cape Town. Comprising
six carriages, it seats two hundred and ninety four (294) commuters
and sports eighteen (18) work stations for on‐board workaholics. The
Business Express covers the distance in 70 minutes and stops at Paarl,
Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, and Stikland only before expressing to
Mutual and Cape Town Stations.

http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/Communic ... pr2010.pdf

[Dylan Knott]

Excellent! More work for the two remaining semaphore controlled stations in the Boland though! Also excellent photo opportunities!

[Luca Lategan]

Ja, Kayalitsha Business Express was not successful. This service has now been suspended and the set is going refurbishment before Boland service starts.

Currently the Strand service is at full capacity with a long waiting list. This service attracts a lot of commuters who stay in the Brackenfell/Kraaifontein areas that drive to Kuilsriver and get on there. It is hoped that the Boland service will shift passengers to the northern line to create more space on the Strand service.

Mmm Dylan, it will presumable depart from Hugenot platform 3 and then just run ahead of the normal metro a few minutes behind. Between Paarl and Klapmuts the Business Express and following Metro will be in the same section. The timing is actually not that fast and only 15 odd mins are gained on the normal schedule. The same thing happens on the Strand service where it creeps along at 60km/h where the normal trains fly along at 90. The section from Paarl to Kraaifontein is mostly a straight, downhill racetrack that can easily accomodate 90/100+ so hopefully they can ammend the times in future schedules. Of course the extra luxury inside the train makes up for this shortcoming.

[Craig Duckham]

Can anyone confirm that the Khayelitsha Business Express has been suspended?

When ever I caught or saw the express it was very full.

[Dylan Knott]

Well at Somerset West the Express has priority and even the freight trains are placed in the loop line. If the metro (from Strand) is late the express drops off pax then takes the loop line. As soon as the metro clears the points, the express is given the green light to head for Strand.

Luca, the express is an absolute dream travelling to CT.

Watch the Boland one become a success as it elminates some of the N1 traffic.

Well done PRASA!

[Luca Lategan]

Just confirmed that the physical white set with the coffe etc have been taken off. The Kayalitsha Express now runs in the form of a MetroPlus only set to the original timing express service. No coffee, paper or waitrons are availabble. Ticket price still the same.

I'm sure it must be wonderful to not sit in the traffic, but I did feel that they could gain even more time by running at full line-speed.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

I am sure the Boland Express would be quicker going through Monte Vista. Fewer stations and sidings and less traffic. Shos Meyl take 30 minutes from CT to Bellville and they creep over the diamond crossings at Winderemere. A shorter train would not have that delay. 25 minutes tops. 90 minutes by car peak hour on the N1 if you are lucky.

[Luca Lategan]

17h33 Express between Cape Town and Bellville takes 22 minutes

[Dylan Knott]

Impressive! I cannot do the same even on a motorbike!

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Yes Luca that Express amazes me. 22 minutes , as I said your Shos Meyl trains take 30 minutes. The Malmesbury Express takes almost 40 minutes. Its Class 35 Diesel accelarates slowly. I watch her at N1 City departing Monte Vista. Normal the Metros are almost 80km/h by the time they get to me where as the Diesel 40km/h

[fanie kleynhans]

Hi guys, once the train has reached Paarl does it stay there till the next morning or does it return to Cape Town?

[Dylan Knott]

All the Business Class Trains return to CT. Not sure if there is sufficient space at Paarl to stage the train either.