Metrorail in the Western Cape confirmed that trains have officially operated on the Northern Line between Cape Town and Bellville via Salt River on Wednesday, 16 March.
The service between Cape Town and Bellville was suspended after the line was closed as part of level 5 COVID-19 closures in March 2020. The first train from Bellville to Cape Town departed at 5:40am this morning.
According to Metrorail’s Acting Regional Manager Kaparo Molefi, the railway service has been hard at work ensuring that all key regulatory requirements are met before the line can be opened.
“Unlike road-based public transportation, our operations are regulated by the Rail Safety Regulator and no operation can be done without their express permission,” Molefi said.
Also read: Metrorail set to restore services between Cape Town and Bellville
Molefi further indicated that Metrorail ran empty trains on Monday and Tuesday as part of fulfilling their regulatory mandate before operations could start.
“We will continue applying the same methodology with additional requirements from the RSR as well.
“Our aim is to get services back throughout the entire Western Cape. It won’t be easy but the team is prepared,” Mr Molefi added.
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