FREE YOUR SENTRALE LYN IS WEER AAN DIE GANG. WINNER Most Improved Publication with a Small Budget 2016 SA Publication Forum Awards NEWSPAPER

Transcription

1 WINNER Most Improved Publication with a Small Budget 2016 SA Publication Forum Awards YOUR FREE NEWSPAPER 1 7 March Twitter for instant updates. CENTRAL LINE TRAINS REINSTATED Metrorail resumed its train service in Area Central last week, much to the relief of commuters. The service was suspended in January due to severe, ongoing vandalism and theft. Alicia English he rail operator introduced a limited train service for commuters T travelling from Chris Hani, Kapteinsklip and Lavistown in Area South on Wednesday, 21 February Trains will operate at hourly intervals from 5am to 8pm, with two exceptions each on the Chris Hani and Kapteinsklip routes. Commuters can expect extended travelling times of more than 100 minutes on the Chris Hani Line, and 70 plus minutes on the Kapteinsklip and Sarepta/Bishop Lavis lines due to prevailing speed restrictions and manual authorisations. ADDED SECURITY Metrorail has confi rmed that 88 additional armed security guards and two armoured vehicles have been deployed to patrol day and night to enable technical teams to repair vital equipment and prevent further attacks on rail infrastructure. The rail operator says asset protection and target hardening measures continue to ensure that vital infrastructure such as point machines, apparatus cases and track boxes are secured. The suspension of the central service confi rmed that Cape Town cannot function eff ectively without rail. It is a historic fi rst integrated and comprehensive focus on the issues that derailed an essential service. THANK YOU Metrorail's management team has thanked the region s principals, provincial and local authorities, business and labour stakeholders, and safety oversight authorities who rallied together to help provide the required resources and interventions to reinstate rail services. It also expressed its gratitude to commuters for their patience and understanding. While our customers were extremely frustrated by the suspension of their service, they also understood the importance of ensuring that when trains start to operate again they would be safe for use, the rail operator expressed in a statement. See page 5 for the new limited train schedule in Area Central. A SAFETY MINDSET Commuters are urged to put their safety first: Do not travel on top, in front of, or at the back of the train Don t jump into/out of moving trains Ensure that doors remain closed in transit Metrorail's protection services in Area Central has been boosted with the deployment of two armoured vehicles. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT For regular service updates, follow Metrorail s social media channels, subscribe to receive text alerts or contact the City of Cape Town s Traffic Information Call Centre toll-free service on SENTRALE LYN IS WEER AAN DIE GANG IMAGE: SUPPLIED Metrorail het verlede week tot groot verligting van die pendelaars die treindiens in die Sentrale Area hervat. Die diens was in Januarie as gevolg van volgehoue vandalisme en diefstal opgeskort. Treine sal met al-om-die-uur tussenposes vanaf 5vm to 8nm in diens wees, behalwe op die Chris Hani en Kapteinskliproetes. Pendelaars op die Chris Hani roete kan n verlengde reistyd van 100 minute verwag, terwyl die Kapteinsklip/Sarepta/Bishop Lavispendelaars vir ongeveer 70 minute sal moet wag as gevolg van o.a. spoedbeperkings. Die spoordiens het bevestig dat 88 ekstra sekuriteitswagte en twee gepantserde voertuie ingespan word om dag en nag te patroleer om te verseker dat die tegniese spanne die nodige herstelwerk kan aanbring en om ook verdere aanvalle op die treinroetes te voorkom. Die bestuurspan het verder hul dank uitgespreek aan pendelaars wat met groot geduld die ontwrigting hanteer. Terwyl die ontwrigting groot konsternasie en frustrasie to gevolg het, is dit duidelik dat hulle die belangrikheid van die nuwe verwikkelinge verstaan. Almal se veilgheid moet gewaarborg word as hulle n trein betree. 1

2 Twitter for instant updates. SPECIAL PROJECTS SPOTLIGHT ON RAIL TOURISM Metrorail hosted a group of final-year travel and tourism students from the College of Cape Town in celebration of International Tour Guide Day on Friday, 23 February Yonga Balfour Metrorail afforded final-year travel and tourism students from the College of Cape Town an opportunity to learn more about rail tourism in the province. he rail operator partnered with the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the College of Cape Town, Magans Solutions and T 33 South Backpackers to promote rail tourism in the province. Cherie Wilken, senior lecturer in the College of Cape Town s travel and tourism department, says the event was insightful and speaks to one of the student s main modules. They have four main subjects: tourist destinations, hotel reception, travel office procedures and travel services, which links to today s event. Marking International Tourist Guide Day with Metrorail is important, as it exposes our students to the realities of the tourism industry and helps them understand and explore rail tourism. Rail tourism is a fast-growing niche industry and our students need to take advantage of this opportunity, as tourists love authenticity, says Cherie. INDUSTRY TALK Billy Magan of Magans Solutions addressed the students regarding South African history and rail tourism in the Western Cape. He also shared some of his experiences as a tourism consultant and registered tour guide. My focus is on mentoring and training youth in tourism because there is a huge gap in education relating to our history. When tourists visit our country, they don t understand our diversity, which is where our history fits in. So, tour guides need to understand the richness of our country s diversity to showcase it to the world, he says. Buyile Nophothe from the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism informed the students of the importance of being a registered tour guide, as there are many bogus guides in the market. We offer registered tour guides an official badge and licence, which they need to carry with them at all times when working with tourists, says Buyile. Metrorail concluded the day with a train trip to 33 South Backpackers in Observatory where the students learnt more about the backpackers market and internship programmes. Mpumelelo Sileri, 25 I love tourism because you get to socialise with and meet diverse people. One of my highlights of the day was learning how to become a registered tourist guide. Billy s talk was also helpful. Safety is our concern SAFETY CORNER Deborah Ngwayimbani, 21 This day means a lot to me. It s been an eye-opener because there are so many things that we don t know about. For instance, how to use social media to market yourself or a tourist attraction. If you think you are being followed, go to a public space or the nearest security officer or police station. HAVE YOUR SAY Here s what College of Cape Town students had to say about marking International Tourist Guide Day with Metrorail and its stakeholders. Sinobom Ngubombi and Zimkitha Ngcunguwe Layla Falcon, 1 Today was very informative, especially the details we learnt about sights in Cape Town that we pass by every day, not knowing their significance. Zizipho Funani, 23 I learnt a lot, especially from Billy who told us about the hard work and dedication that go with the job, and that tourism starts where you are. Protection services Claims office Transport info number RAILWAY POLICE Stock Road Cape Town Bellville Retreat 24-hour operational room EMERGENCY NUMBERS / /10 IMAGES: YONGA BALFOUR 2

3 Twitter to receive instant updates. METRO MATTERS GET READY TO CYCLE The Cape Town Cycle Tour will take place on Sunday, 11 March. Metrorail will be operating several trains to transport cyclists and spectators from Area South to the event. Here s what you need to know. Alicia English yclists and spectators C who wish to travel to the Cape Town Cycle Tour by train won t have to work up a sweat to get their Cycle Tour train tickets. Simply purchase your train tickets at the Metrorail exhibition stand at the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo at Cape Town Stadium from 8 to 10 March Tickets will also be available from dedicated Metrorail ticket offi ces two weeks before the big event. Look out for a detailed Cycle Tour train schedule in next week s Myline. TICKET COSTS A return ticket costs R47 and allows cyclists to travel with their bicycles onboard the train. Please note, only cash purchases can be made, as there are no card facilities at train stations or the expo. RESERVED COACHES The fi rst two carriages on these trains will be reserved for cyclists and their bicycles. ADDITIONAL TRAINS Three additional trains will operate on Sunday, 11 March 2018 on the Southern Line only. DELAYS Allow for additional travelling time of 20 to 30 minutes due to the manual authorisation of trains. BUS SHUTTLE A bus shuttle will operate between Simon s Town and Fish Hoek. Regrettably, no tickets can be sold to cyclists between these stations. Good to know To plan your journey effectively, visit or view the timetables on Metrorail s blog at for regular updates and information. EXTENDED TRAVEL TIMES Metrorail continues to implement speed restrictions, temporary route and platform deviations, and manual authorisations to minimise the impact of the vulnerable rail system and ensure commuter safety. Let s take a look at the new average extended travel times in your areas. Contact the City of Cape Town s Traffic Information Call Centre on (toll-free) to find out about any last-minute changes. AREA NORTH Muldersvlei to Cape Town Wellington to Cape Town Strand to Cape Town Kraaifontein to Cape Town Bellville to Cape Town via Monte Vista 120 minutes 130 minutes 120 minutes 75 minutes 55 minutes AREA SOUTH Simon s Town to Cape Town Retreat to Cape Town 5 minutes 70 minutes Chris Hani to Cape Town 115 minutes AREA CENTRAL Kapteinsklip to Cape Town Bellville to Cape Town via Lavistown 100 minutes 5 minutes 3

4 Twitter to receive instant updates. PROFILE ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE FROM LEFT: Tanya Werneck, Dr Hirut Grossberger, Dr Wolfgang Schausberger, Raymond Maseko (Metrorail), Sabine Langer, Birgit Blauensteiner and Pieter Conradie (Stellenbosch University) during an Austrian delegation s recent site visit to Metrorail s Salt River depot. The PRASA Engineering Research Chair at Stellenbosch University researches PRASA-related challenges, seeks solutions to problems and converts research results into practical applications. Alicia English n recent months, the PRASA Engineering Research Chair, based at Stellenbosch University s engineering faculty, launched I an investigation into vandalism and theft in PRASA. It also built prediction models to improve the reliability of motor coaches by improved maintenance strategies and thereby improving the availability of trains. The aim of the investigation into vandalism was to identify possible hot spots and times of occurrences, identify most popular items stolen, and find solutions to minimise vandalism and theft. In addition, we are investigating problems associated with reaction time to maintain infrastructure and are seeking methods to improve the reaction time, to ultimately improve downtime of train lines, explains Professor Neels Fourie from the PRASA Engineering Research Chair. He says while the research chair delves directly into Metrorail s operational matters, its work ultimately impacts commuters. Most of the projects that we carry out are aimed at solving problems that PRASA encounters in its day-to-day activities in maintenance and operations. This, in turn, leads to improved availability of trains and improved commuter satisfaction, adds Neels. UNIQUE CHALLENGES Neels notes that the operational challenges faced by Metrorail in the Western Cape differ from those experienced by the rail operator in other regions. The spatial layout of the Western Cape is different to other major city centres, where the major routes leading into the CBD are from east to west. Cape Town Station is classified as a type end-station, with unique challenges and advantages. Furthermore, the Cape Town weather plays a BACK FROM LEFT: Dr Wolfgang Schausberger, Tanya Werneck, Dr Hirut Grossberger, Birgit Blauensteiner, Sabine Langer recently visited Metrorail as part of an international exchange programme between the PRASA Engineering Research Chair and St Pölten University in Austria. IN FRONT: Raymond Maseko, Metrorail s engineering services manager in the Western Cape. role in the performance of rolling stock and infrastructure; even the ocean contributes by depositing sand on the track. Maintenance and operations, therefore, need to take into account more factors for seamless operation, he explains. FOREIGN EXCHANGE Last month, the research chair facilitated two international exchanges, which saw representatives from Slovakia and Austria visit Metrorail operations as part of fact-finding missions. During the most recent visit, representatives from Mobility Consultants and St Pölten University in Austria engaged Metrorail officials about various operational matters. The interaction with international partners enables us to learn new ways to solve problems, opening up their knowledge bases to us to produce better solutions. One of the objectives of the recent visits was to identify challenges that PRASA experiences with regard to the maintenance and operation of the infrastructure. The visitors were surprised that there are no simple solutions to our challenges and that protecting the assets against vandalism and theft were such a problem, Neels concludes. 4

5 Central Line Interim Timetable February 2018 CENTRAL LINE SERVICE RESUMPTION INTERIM TIMETABLE Chris Hani / Khayelitsha CHRIS HANI - CAPE TOWN CAPE TOWN - CHRIS HANI Train No. Departs Arrives Train No. Departs Arrives 02 05:00 06: :00 06: :00 07: :00 07: :00 08: :00 08: :00 0: :00 0: :00 10:42 0 0:00 10: :00 11: :00 12: :00 12: :00 13: :00 14: :00 14: :00 15: :00 15: :00 16: :00 16: :00 17: :00 17: :00 18: :00 18: :00 1: :00 1: :00 20: :00 20: :00 21:43 Kapteinsklip / Mitchell s Plain KAPTEINSKLIP - CAPE TOWN CAPE TOWN - KAPTEINSKLIP Train No. Departs Arrives Train No. Departs Arrives :00 06: :30 06: :00 07: :30 07: :00 08: :30 08: :00 0: :30 0: :00 10: :30 10: :00 11: :30 12: :00 12: :30 13: :00 14: :30 15: :00 15: :30 16: :00 17: :30 17: :00 18: :30 18: :00 1: :30 1: :00 20: :30 20:35 Lavistown / Sarepta BELLVILLE - CAPE TOWN (VIA LAVIS) CAPE TOWN - BELLVILLE (VIA LAVIS) Train No. Departs Arrives Train No. Departs Arrives :00 06:11 001* 04:53 05: :00 07: :30 06: :00 08: :30 07: :00 0: :30 08: :00 10: :30 0: :00 11: :30 10: :00 12: :30 11: :00 13: :30 12: :00 14: :30 13: :00 15: :30 14: :00 16: :30 15: :00 17: :30 16: :00 18: :30 17: :00 1: :30 18: :00 20: :30 1: :30 20:41 *All stations from Mutual Tra Tra

6

7

8 Twitter for instant updates. MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME 1 TO 7 MARCH 2018 SOUTH: CAPE TOWN SIMON S TOWN AND CAPE FLATS 1 7 March 2018 Cape Town Salt River 0:00 14:00 Maintenance between scheduled train service. Train delays of 10 to 15 minutes can be expected. 1 7 March 2018 Wetton Retreat 0:00 14:00 Platform changes will be announced.train delays of 10 to 15 minutes can be expected 1 7 March 2018 Plumstead Steenberg 0:00 14:00 Platform changes will be announced.train delays of 10 to 15 minutes can be expected NORTH: CAPE TOWN MONTE VISTA BELLVILLE WELLINGTON STELLENBOSCH STRAND 1 7 March 2018 Maitland Bellville 0:00 14:00 Platform changes will be announced. Train delays of 25 to 30 minutes can be expected. 1 7 March 2018 Kraaifontein Paarl 0:00 14:00 Platform changes will be announced. Train delays of 30 to 35 minutes can be expected. 1 7 March 2018 Acasia Park Bellville 0:00 15:00 Platform changes will be announced. Train delays of 30 to 35 minutes can be expected. 1 7 March 2018 Cape Town Station 08:00 18:00 Platform changes will be announced. Train delays of 25 to 30 minutes can be expected. While we try our utmost to do maintenance during off -peak hours to minimise possible delays, connecting trains may be subject to delays on all service lines. Your safety is our concern. We apologise for any inconvenience inadvertently caused. Performance refl ects week of 14 to 20 February *The service on Area Central was suspended from 11 January 2018 to 20 February 2018 due to severe, ongoing vandalism and theft. SAFETY CENTRAL: CAPE TOWN KAPTEINSKLIP KHAYELITSHA CHRIS HANI SAREPTA 1 7 March 2018 Langa Pinelands 0:00 14:00 Platform changes will be announced. Train delays of 20 to 25 minutes can be expected. 1 7 March 2018 Philippi Nyanga 0:00 14:00 Platform changes will be announced. Train delays of 20 to 25 minutes can be expected. DON T PLAY with a ball or other toys on the station platforms or railway tracks. Make sure that you TRAVEL IN GROUPS and do not share your personal details with strangers. AVOID getting into an EMPTY CARRIAGES, as you could be more vulnerable to crime. CUSTOMER SERVICE Here are the contact details for Metrorail s customer service area managers in your areas. Travel tips for children In case you missed it AREA IKAPA Herschel Smith / hsmith@metrorail.co.za AREA SOUTH Herdia Wicomb / hwicomb@metrorail.co.za HIDE YOUR VALUABLES so that you don t attract unnecessary attention, especially from criminals. INFORM YOUR PARENTS of your whereabouts throughout the day. TALK TO A METRORAIL EMPLOYEE should you need help on the stations or trains. AREA CENTRAL Cyril Bauer / cbauer@metrorail.co.za AREA NORTH Luleka Ndzuzo / lndzuzo@metrorail.co.za PERFORMANCE AM ON TIME 42.8% PM ON TIME 64.3% CANCELLED (AM + PM) 27% AM ON TIME 26.3% PM ON TIME 51% CANCELLED (AM + PM) 20.2% AM ON TIME *N/A PM ON TIME *N/A CANCELLED (AM + PM) *N/A INCREASE YOUR SALES BY ADVERTISING IN MYLINE. OUR READERS MAKE PASSENGER JOURNEYS EVERY DAY. PLEASE CONTACT: PUBLISHED ON BEHALF OF METRORAIL by Mikateko Media, 1 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001 PO Box 872, Green Point, DISCLAIMER Published by Mikateko Media (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved. While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of information, neither the editor, publisher nor Mikateko Media can be held liable for any inaccuracies, injuries or damages that may arise. Liam Marinus Advertising Sales Manager Phone Cell liam.marinus@mikatekomedia.co.za Trinity Maholela Advertising Sales Executive Phone Cell Fax trinity.maholela@mikatekomedia.co.za 8