Cape to take over passenger rail service

Cape Town has stepped up its drive to secure the devolution of passenger rail to the metro level, tabling a rail business plan that it says positions the city to become the first in South Africa to take over passenger rail services.

- Liesl Peyper

The plan will be considered by the council on 4 December. It will assess the financial, operational and strategic feasibility of shifting passenger rail control from the national government to the city.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says that with the proposed business plan, the city is “front of the queue” to be the first metro in SA to take over local passenger rail - “in line with the constitution and national white paper on rail”.