Chris Hani Rail Station Reopens: A Milestone for Cape Town's Central Line and Township Economy

The long-anticipated reopening of the Chris Hani Station in Khayelitsha marks a major milestone in the recovery of Cape Town's Central Line, once the city's busiest and most vital rail corridor.

- Mihlali Jijana

After years of inactivity, neglect, and community disruption, this line is now open, promising to reshape the mobility, economy, and quality of life for thousands of commuters across the city's townships.

The Central Line: A Corridor of Hope

The Central Line connects Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain to Cape Town CBD and Bellville, forming the backbone of Cape Town's rail transport system. Before its decline, the line accounted for 350,000 daily trips out of Cape Town's 685,000 rail commuters. At its peak, PRASA operated across 124 stations in the province-but by 2020, only 20 remained functional due to vandalism, illegal occupation, and deteriorating infrastructure.

A phased recovery began shortly after, focusing on rebuilding seven critical stations. As of May 2025, only three remain out of service, with full accessibility targeted by July.

A Lifeline Restored for Working Communities

"This is a dream come true," says Zandile Maseko, a community resident. "The taxi fares were too high, and we had no affordable way to travel. This train is going to help our SMEs and vendors too. It's changing the township economy."

Indeed, Khayelitsha is home to thousands of workers who commute daily to industrial zones along the Central Line. With trains now running every 30 minutes during peak hours and hourly during off-peak hours, accessibility is no longer a luxury-it's a restored right.

Chris Hani Station alone is expected to serve 353,000 passengers out of the Western Cape's 744,000 train commuters, making this a significant piece of PRASA's national recovery.

PRASA's Vision: Safety and Innovation

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has introduced modern train designs, incorporating safety features like automated doors, voice alerts, and CCTV systems for enhanced passenger safety and comfort. Each train is staffed with security guards to protect both passengers and infrastructure.