Metrorail 'free-for-all' a time bomb

The Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it was concerned about non-paying commuters at stations such as Steenberg, Stock Road and Nyanga. It said a “commuter free-for-all” is a ticking time bomb that lies at the heart of the city’s public-transport system.

- KAYLYNNE BANTOM

The chamber raised the alarm in a statement, saying it had been informed by taxi and bus stakeholders that “non-paying passengers are barging onto trains en masse at key stations on the main commuter line, posing a serious public safety risk. The lawlessness is impacting both the local taxi and bus services, also aggravating commercial rivalries and escalating tensions within an already volatile sector.”

It called on immediate action from Metrorail. The statement further claimed that taxi and bus stakeholders had raised concerns with Metrorail, but to no avail.

“Several taxis were torched in Nyanga recently, reportedly due to tensions related to a significant drop in business as a result of free train rides.”

The chamber said the security breach came amid concerted efforts to reform the taxi industry, an initiative supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders in both the private and public sector.