Peter Griffiths, AfricaNews reporter in Johannesburg, South Africa
After another bus crash on the Moloto Road linking Pretoria and Mpumalanga Province, the South African government has again suggested extending the country's rail network.
Last week a Putco bus, allegedly overtaking on a solid white line, and a truck collided on the Moloto Road, killing 10 and injuring 36. Accidents on the road, often involving Putco busses and other forms of public transport, have been regular on the route.
Now government plans to build a rail line between Pretoria and the former KwaNdebele region in an effort to increase passenger safety. KwaNdebele was a former homeland north-east of Pretoria.
South Africa’s rail company, PRASA, said planning had already started.
“We have done a feasibility study,” said general manager of corporate affairs Tiro Holele.
Holele added that schedules, fairs and the cost of the project to the South African taxpayer were still unknown.
“We cannot estimate the price of the project as tenders have not gone out and prices of steel and cement might go up next year,” said Holele.
Putco, the country’s largest bus operator, said it would continue to operate between 500 and 600 buses in the region daily, but may scale back if the train hurts its passenger base.
“A survey by the government has shown that people prefer buses [and] it is up to the customers to choose what transport mode they want to use,” said spokesperson Raphiri Matsaneng.
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