Luxury train shambles derails holiday plans

[John Ashworth]

Luxury train shambles derails holiday plans

August 22 2010 at 10:36AM
IOL
By Warda Meyer

A Newlands couple's dream train trip to Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park has been derailed following a decision to temporarily discontinue the long-distance passenger train service.

And a couple from Cornwall planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cape Town also had their plans upset.

A dispute between Transnet and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has resulted in all Shosholoza Meyl services being suspended for the past two weeks.

Tim and Pam Patten of Newlands booked their trip to Johannesburg in June.

"We were just about ready to pack our bags when the Shosholoza Meyl's train service was suspended. We had to read about the developments in the newspapers. It is all just too ridiculous," Tim Patten said.

They are among the many who had been left in the lurch by the deadlock between Transnet and Prasa.

The Pattens said they began planning their holiday in February and decided to take a train trip to rekindle the fond memories they'd shared on the Trans-Karoo trains in the 1970s.

"We haven't been on a train for 30 years and we were looking forward to the trip down memory lane, to a time when I was still working as a political reporter covering Parliament. "

Because the N1 was such an unpleasant highway, with all its taxis and long-distance trucks, they decided to rail their car to Johannesburg and drive on to Mpumalanga from there.

"The entire trip set us back about R10 000 which included the shipping of our car, a sleeper compartment, and a return trip on the Premier class train. We booked early especially for the Premier Class and things were all hunky-dory, until we opened the newspaper."

Patten added that they were pleasantly surprised at the helpful service they received from Prasa and after the cancellation drama Prasa staff were apologetic.

"This is more of a disappointment than anything else. We are not really angry because there would be no point," Pam Patten said.

"I was looking forward to a relaxing train trip and I'd already selected all the books I would take along."

Her husband said that they were lucky, because they had the alternative of driving north. Many people would not have other options.

Patten said they are still booked for a return trip on the Premier class. "We are set to leave this Wednesday and for the time being we are hoping and praying that the Premier class tickets booked for next month will not be affected."

The Transnet and Prasa dispute has also affected foreign visitors and their holiday plans.

Thora Angell from Cornwall in England has also been disappointed by the confusion.

Born in South Africa but resident in the UK for the past 50 years, she and her Cornish husband are planning a visit to South Africa in March.

She found information about the Shosholoza Meyl Premier Class train information on the internet.

"I clicked on the Premier Class train section and an update note appeared stating that due to the shambles affecting the Shosholoza Meyl trains, including the Premier Class train run by Prasa, all trains would be cancelled till further notice.

"How disappointing for me and my family. We have now had to book a hired car to get down to Cape Town, which is a long drive for pensioners. I don't know the reason for the shambles but I do hope that Prasa has the trains back on schedule soon."

Prasa announced the suspension last week, effectively blaming Transnet for refusing to certify its trains that are not maintained by Transnet Rail Engineering.

But the parastal denied the claims saying Prasa owed it R1.3 billion for services.

[Chris Janisch]

Noticed the Shongololo Express stranded at Cape Town station on Monday. Apparently this also relates to the dispute as they use PRASA locos, which have also been grounded due to unroadworthiness/ lack of certification.
Lucky Montana- he is a brave man to have pulled the Shosh plug and blame Transnet. No mention of the owings PRASA has. There was an interview with him in Sunday's Busines Times which was interesting....

[Steve Appleton]

Locomotive availability: Transnet riled by Prasa accusations.

This article in Business Day 23 August 2010.
http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/C ... ?id=118768

Transnet riled by Prasa accusations

TRANSNET says allegations made against it by Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) executives are “misleading, false and defamatory”.

JULIUS BAUMANN
Published: 2010/08/23 06:36:33 AM

TRANSNET says allegations made against it by Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) executives are “misleading, false and defamatory”.

Transnet’s remarks on Friday followed Prasa’s decision earlier this month to suspend Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger train services, blaming Transnet’s inability to service and repair some of its locomotives.

Tumisang Kgaboesele, special adviser to Prasa CEO Lucky Montana, said last weekend that Transnet had refused to certify Prasa trains that were not maintained by Transnet Rail Engineering, as required by the Rail Safety Regulator’s regulations. This means trains cannot run on Transnet’s network.

Despite the festering disagreement between the parties, Prasa has managed to restore some of its long-distance services.

“Prasa has maintained a vicious media campaign accusing Transnet of being the main cause of its troubles,” Transnet spokesman Mboniso Sigonyela said on Friday. He said Transnet had not been paid for valid work performed worth about R1,3bn. Despite this, Transnet had continued maintenance work on Prasa locomotives. “Correspondence since received from Prasa has confirmed the indebtedness and Transnet awaits a payment schedule as promised,” he said.

Mr Sigonyela said Transnet has been advised by Prasa that no payments would be made in respect of work performed without a purchase order.

Transnet in turn had advised Prasa of its inability to meet this requirement, in particular when it comes to en-route inspection and repairs.

Prasa reaffirmed its position in writing on July 23. By August 12, more than 70 locomotives of the available 124 locomotives were out of service awaiting maintenance, Mr Sigonyela said.

baumannj@bdfm

[hansieswart]

Hi everyone,

Does anybody know whether the Premier Classe service is running again? A friend who lives close to the Worcester - Voorbaai line told me that a passenger train passed his house on Friday night, but he was too late to identify it. The time seems about right for the weekend CPT-PE Premier Classe, but I cannot seem to find any confirmation on their website that this train is indeed running again. Then again, what other passenger train could it possibly have been?

I have recommended the CPT-PE trip with much enthusiasm to anyone who just seemed remotely interested, and now it's somewhat embarrassing to have to say "but it's currently not running"

Hansie

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Shos Meyl did not run yesterday but saw Jhb bound Premier Classe last Tuesday. It left CT 30 minutes late. It probably was the PE Prem Classe

[Brendon Anderson]

I cancelled my Cpt - PE Premiere Classe booking for 24 September today. The service is still not running and no end is in sight. Reluctantly its now a flight out of Cape Town instead.