Metrorail Service: 5 - Point Plan to Improve current service levels
 PRASA’s Strategy identified short, medium and long-term interventions to
improve rail services in the country.
 PRASA identified operational interventions to be implemented
immediately (i.e. service redesign) in order to improve current service
levels to customers whilst the modernization program is underway.
 Objective is to have a substantial impact on the quality of service
currently being offered, while the modernization program of acquiring new
rolling stock, re-signaling and infrastructure renewal are being roll-out
over the next 3 – 5 years.
 Program currently implemented by the Rail Division.
Key Elements of the 5 Point Plan
 Service Redesign (to focus mainly on improving journey times and
managing overcrowding)
 Introduction of user friendly Time-Table (introduction of user friendly
and comprehensible timetable operating at regular intervals)
 Acceleration of Infrastructure improvements and rehabilitation
(addressing infrastructure issues affecting service delivery, especially
speed restrictions and capacity bottlenecks)
 Security of passengers and assets (managing a holistic approach to
security in the deployment and use of security personnel, with a zero
tolerance approach to security and safety breaches)
 Operational Safety (intensify operational safety interventions and
manage human factors affecting rail operations)
Summary of Interventions
• Service Redesign
 Introduction of inner/outer services with intermediate station
connections for increased shuttle services and express
services, offering improved frequencies and managing
crowding.
 Reorganizing rolling stock deployment through appropriate set
configuration.
 Improve availability of rolling stock from maintenance program.
 Further decentralization of the staging of trains to respond to
optimum service deployment.
 Short distance traveling of trains to maximize asset utilization
Summary of Interventions
• Infrastructure Rehabilitation
 Reduce speed restrictions.
 Accelerate CIP interventions.
 Re-introduce Defect Teams to perform off-peak services.
 Deployment of technical staff at key responding stations for quick reaction to infrastructure defects affecting service delivery.
 Improve network capacity and flexibility to respond to service redesign
requirements.
Security Improvements
 Private security personnel to be under direct command of Prasa security.
 Ensure that the mobile Task Team members lead the deployments particularly
in Gauteng.
 Ensure optimum security deployment in trains through creation of more mobile
teams particularly during off peak services.
 Integrate Platform Marshalling responsibilities within security to ensure
enforcement of operational safety compliance.
 Adopt a zero tolerance approach to non-compliance in the operational
environment and within trains.
 Deploy security to protect key installations, i.e. vulnerable signaling
installations.
 Protection of trains through focused teams on key corridors (early morning and
evenings).
Summary of Interventions
• Operational Safety Interventions
 Ensure full implementation and compliance of the Safety Management
System.
 Deploy security to ensure full compliance with safety rules/requirements
at stations and within trains (security to ensure enforcement of compliance –
e.g. platform marshalling duties).
 Ensure full compliance with all provisions of the Human Factor management
(medical, surveillance, task observation, refresher training, safety symposiums,
etc).
 Intensify the safety awareness campaigns.
 Work with local government to address the issue of settlements along the rail
reserve (major contributor to fatalities along the rail reserve.