The Portfolio Committee on Transport will conduct an oversight visit on Friday to assess the operations of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA). The visit, aimed at monitoring the agency’s progress after years of alleged mismanagement and decline, will include a walkabout at Park Station in Johannesburg and the Dunnotar Manufacturing Plant. The committee will be joined by officials from Gauteng and Johannesburg.
PRASA, which has faced significant challenges in recent years, is now showing signs of recovery in its commuter rail services. The rail agency, which plays a critical role in providing affordable public transport, has seen more passengers return to its services, a positive shift after a period of significant decline.
One of the key indicators of this recovery is the threefold increase in passenger numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic. While PRASA aims to reach 186 million passengers by 2027, this target is still only a fraction of the 550 million passengers who used its services in the financial year ending in 2015.
As PRASA continues to rebuild its infrastructure and regain public trust, the oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Transport will provide an opportunity to assess progress and address any lingering issues. The agency’s ability to meet its future goals remains a critical factor in improving South Africa’s public transport system.