Infographic: Rail usage benefits and train fare increases in 2015/16

On Tuesday, 21 April 2015, the Passenger Rail agency of South Africa (PRASA) presented its corporate plan to the Transport Portfolio Committee. They discussed the benefits of growing the rail service in terms on environmental benefits and in lure of rapid urbanisation. However, the presentation failed to touch on a critical area – the safety of their passengers. Despite making over 500 million passenger trips per annum, desperate calls from commuters for safer trains and more security after a spate of violent robberies and assaults, and profitable train fare revenue of over R3 billion per year, PRASA did not include any security plans in their presentation. They did; however, announce a 13% hike in train fare in the 2015/16 financial year. See infographic below for more details: