​By Risuna Nwadzule
National Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga officially opened the Leralla to Germiston rail line in the City of Ekurhuleni on Monday 28 August 2023. This forms part of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa's (PRASA) efforts of rebuilding the passenger rail infrastructure and refurbishing vandalised stations. 
Corridors prioritised for reconstruction and recovery are aimed at serving the greatest demand for commuter rail services. To this end, PRASA has spent over R2 billion in recovering the rail infrastructure in Gauteng. The passenger rail agency has, to date, recovered eighteen corridors, with seven now operational in the province. 
The Leralla-Germiston line, rebuilt at a cost of under R600 million, first ran commercially on 06 July 2023 and currently carries over 10 000 people daily. Plans are currently underway to extend services from Germiston to Johannesburg. PRASA's rebuild programme not only focuses on passenger rail infrastructure, but also on modernisation of rail service with the rollout of the new trains, manufactured at the Gibela manufacturing plant, in Nigel in the City of Ekurhuleni. 
She added that "PRASA is making significant progress in rebuilding the passenger rail infrastructure and refurbishing vandalised stations. Today, PRASA has recovered 18 corridors, with seven corridors now operational in Gauteng with the new electrical motor units, Isitimela Sabantu.
" Speaking at the event, Minister Chikunga noted that "our interventions to restore urban passenger rail services aim to ensure that the return of passenger rail to the city is sustainable. The plans are part of our wider strategy to improve passenger rail services across South Africa and make rail a safe, reliable, and affordable mode of transport". 
In her interaction with passengers, a commuter indicated he stands to save over a R1000 a month when using the train to work. "I am happy with the service and safety measures put in place for our safety inside the train, we would appreciate if the minister can install Wi-Fi on trains" he added. 
The passenger rail agency has also invested heavily in technology to improve security around its infrastructure and bolstered by the in-sourcing over three thousand security personnel as well as entering contracts with private security companies. 
Minister Chikunga highlighted that PRASA is making significant strides in restoring the passenger rail system in the country. The restoration serves a solid commitment in returning passenger rail to its rightful place as the backbone of public transport and the economy, she added.