Rail

Commuter Rail Services

Metrorail

Metrorail: Metro | MetroPlus | Business Express Services

Metrorail is responsible for transporting over 2.2 million passengers in the following operational areas: Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban and Eastern Cape at 317 stations of the 468 stations that Metrorail operates in, the remainder belongs to Transnet Freight Rail. The rolling stock fleet of 406 train sets comprises coaches which were built between 1958 and 1985. Fewer than 3 percent of the fleet are coaches that were bought in the mid-eighties with relatively newer technology. Diesel locomotives are leased to assist with yard operations and provide the traction supply for the Eastern Cape services. Established as a fully fledged business unit of Transnet in 1996, Metrorail has focused on the delivery of commuter rail services in six major metropolitan areas, while assuming responsibility for the maintenance of the operational asset base.

Business Expresses

South African rail commuters are now travelling to their destinations in style.

When the idea of a luxury commuter train was first mooted in 2006, most couldn’t even imagine it becoming a reality. Yet, since the Wits Metrorail region unveiled South Africa’s first luxury commuter train at Naledi Station, Soweto, in 2007, the highly successful service has caught on and now includes the popular Khayelitsha business express service, as well as those between Strand and Cape Town in the Western Cape, and between Pretoria and Johannesburg in Gauteng.

The concept was simple: change the public’s perception of rail by:

• demonstrating the comfort and convenience of train travel;
• providing commuters with a choice of rail services;
• restoring dignity to rail travel; and
• responding to customer willingness to pay for a superior service.

The express trains sport brand new livery and are instantly recognisable. The comfortable seats, curtains and carpets ensure a fresh and luxurious look. Onboard services include cabin and security crew, a complimentary daily newspaper and refreshments. The Strand to Cape Town Premium Express also boasts two LCD screens per carriage allowing state-of-the-art onboard communication.

Fast Facts:

2007 SOWETO BUSINESS EXPRESS

• Area: Soweto to Johannesburg
• Seating Capacity: 360
• Stopping Stations: Naledi, Dube, Johannesburg Park Station
• Average Travel Time: 90 minutes

2008 BOLAND EXPRESS

• Area: Huguenot to Cape Town
• Seating Capacity: 300
• Stopping Stations: Paarl, Kraaifontein, Brackenfell, Stikland, Cape Town
• Average Travel Time: 70 minutes

2008 TSHWANE BUSINESS EXPRESS

• Area: Pretoria to Johannesburg
• Seating Capacity: 520
• Stopping Stations: Pretoria, Centurion, Kempton Park, Johannesburg Park Station
• Average Travel Time: 90 minutes

2009 PREMIUM EXPRESS

• Area: Strand to Cape Town
• Seating Capacity: 252
• Stopping Stations: Strand, Somerset West, Firgrove, Eerste River, Kuilsriver, Mutual, Cape Town
• Average Travel Time: 70 minutes

Mainline Passenger Services

Main Line Passenger Services comprised of Shosholoza Meyl, and Luxrail (Premier Classe), provides regional inter-city passenger rail services, currently operating within the borders of South Africa. In addition to offering passenger services, the business offers transportation of excess baggage, and cars on certain routes. The current routes are mainly between Johannesburg (Pretoria) and the main cities (Cape Town, Durban, Hoedspruit, East London, Port Elizabeth, Musina, Komatipoort and Bloemfontein) in South Africa.

It is envisaged that cross border train services will be resumed in future.

Shosholoza Meyl: Economy | Tourist Class

Shosholoza Meyl promises that each customer will be treated to “a pleasant experience” from the moment they book, and buy their ticket, throughout their journey by train until they disembark at the end of their destination.

Shosholoza Meyl, currently services twenty-one routes between major destinations in South Africa. It carries over 3.9 million passengers per annum, many of whom are migrant workers travelling between the rural areas and the Metropolitan centres of South Africa as well as migrant workers from neighbouring countries such as Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Zambia. The sitter or economy class travellers contribute 87.5% of the total revenue of the business. In addition to this core basic service, Shosholoza Meyl also provides Premier Classe trains, Tourist Class trains, baggage and car transportation. The different services are explained briefly hereunder.

Shosholoza Meyl currently stops at 95 stations under the ownership of either PRASA or Transnet Freight Rail (TFR). Shosholoza Meyl owns 1223 rail coaches, of which some 1086 are currently used for passenger transport. The fleet is aging and 33% of the coaches are older than 30 years, while all coaches in service are older than 20 years. Shosholoza Meyl is materially reliant on Transnet Freight Rail (a division of Transnet) for the provision of the railway track and support services such as train control to enable it to operate.

Luxrail

This is a new section of the business that is focused on providing luxury services on specific routes and offering tailor made products to the requirements of the targeted market segments. These services will be positioned and operated such that they cover their own operating cost. The product currently offered is this segment is the Premier Classé train. The Premier Classé service is our window to a world in one country which will take our customers to places they have never been before - from rugged snow capped mountains to wide open plains to the crashing waves of the ocean side - and take their imagination to that place where the sun never sets.

Luxrail is expecting that in the near future The Blue Train will be transferred from Transnet to PRASA (Rail Operations), and will also form part of Luxrail division.

Premier Classe

The Premier Classe was first introduced in 2001 with only four coaches accommodating 24 guests. In 2006 it became a dedicated luxury train with eleven coaches accommodating 84 guests, travelling between Johannesburg and Cape Town twice a week. Our newest train introduced in October 2007 accommodates 126 guests.

The moment you board the Premier Classe train, you step into a world that recaptures the elegance of a bygone era of luxury train travel, enhanced by the convenience that modern technology affords. We accommodate 126 passengers in the sheer luxury of our spacious compartments and lavishly appointed bathrooms. Our highly-trained staff members anticipate your every need, making sure that your time spent with them is the trip of a lifetime.

Discover South Africa by Train!