October 2, 2007
By Millicent Kgowedi
CITY leaders were invited to test the slick new Soweto Business Express (SBE) yesterday as part of Public Transport Month.
The train, a fast link between Joburg and Soweto aimed at business commuters, was launched three months ago by Metrorail. Councillors and members of the mayoral committee boarded the train at Park Station in downtown Joburg on Monday, 1 October, the first day of Public Transport Month.
Smartly dressed in their office attire, the councillors were escorted by security guards to platform 12, where the train was already waiting to depart. The white, gold and black train impressed the travellers.
The SBE comprises of eight coaches and can carry 530 people. Security guards patrol each coach and commuters are given newspapers and coffee along the way.
"We invited you today so that you can experience our service," Sifiso Lukhele, the senior manager for customer operations at the SBE, told the guests.
Sowetans appreciated the train, which had a positive economic impact, he said. "We are a big contributor to the transport industry, especially during peak hours.
"A lot of petrol money can be saved by using the train. Most of our commuters are young people who have [cars that] are parked in safe parking space, with security guards on duty throughout the [day]," he explained.
With the commuters on board, the SBE shunted out of Park Station smoothly, heading for Naledi Station, where Kevin Mabona, the acting information technology manager, spoke about the train and its services. "The SBE has a 98 percent time keeping, meaning that there is a guarantee that the train will depart and arrive on time."
Given the opportunity to ask questions, councillors wanted to know about facilities to allow disabled people to use the train. They were told that such facilities were in the pipeline and would be installed soon.
"There are plans going forward, like expanding railways, having additional corridors, revamping Naledi Station by installing lifts and closed-circuit television cameras for the safety and comfort of our people," Mabona said.
Some 34 stations had been identified as most likely to be used by 2010 visitors, when rail would help to transport the large numbers of people expected in Johannesburg for the 2010 Fifa World Cup™.
"Use the pressure that comes with 2010 to say, 'How do we leave a transport legacy with the millions of people coming to South Africa?'" said Rehana Moosajee, the mayoral committee member for transport.
About 19 million people were expected to pass through OR Tambo Airport for the football tournament, she said, emphasising that transport systems must be ready to transport those visitors.
Getting ready to board: passengers for the Soweto Business Express get ready for the trip
"Transport is about the life and the quality of our people. Transport month belongs to the citizens of the city," she said. "We want communities to talk about issues around public transport during this transport month."
The train headed for Phefeni Station, where the passengers disembarked and walked to the Hector Pieterson Museum for a short tour. Lunch was served at neighbouring Uncle Tom's Hall. From there it was back to the train for the quick ride into the centre of town.
A one-way ticket to Jozi on the business express costs R12; a return is R22 and a monthly ticket from Naledi to Park stations is R310. Monthly tickets for the regular train from Naledi to Johannesburg are R88.
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