Delays and cancellations plague Cape Town's Southern Line commuters

Concerns are emerging over the reliability of Cape Town’s Southern Line, with commuters reporting growing delays and cancellations despite broader efforts to restore passenger rail services across the metro.

The complaints surface as political leaders continue to welcome progress on other parts of the network, including the recent reopening of the Kapteinsklip corridor in Mitchells Plain, describing rail as central to reducing congestion and lowering transport costs.

Regular Southern Line passengers say that while new trains initially improved services, reliability has become inconsistent in recent months, with extended gaps between trains and limited advance communication when disruptions occur.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Western Cape spokesperson Zinobulali Mihi said the agency was aware of concerns regarding the Southern Line.

“PRASA Western Cape acknowledges the challenges currently affecting the Southern Line and is actively monitoring service performance. We understand the impact on our commuters and take these matters seriously,” Mihi said.

She said service interruptions were largely due to ongoing maintenance and upgrade works on infrastructure, as well as operational constraints. Unforeseen technical issues occasionally exacerbated delays.

PRASA said it was implementing stabilisation measures, including improved scheduling, enhanced staff deployment, and better coordination of maintenance activities. Communication channels were also being strengthened through WhatsApp alerts, social media updates and station notices.

“All reports of unrepaired or damaged train components, including shuttered windows, are addressed by our maintenance teams. Continuous inspections and corrective actions are in place to ensure safety and comfort for commuters,” Mihi said.

Despite these assurances, commuters describe increasing unpredictability during peak periods.

A Woodstock resident who travels on the Southern Line up to four times a week said there had been “constant delays and cancellations” over the past few months.

“Sometimes there’s no train for up to five hours, and often there’s no information in advance,” the commuter said.

The passenger added that many commuters hold monthly tickets but are forced to pay for alternative transport when trains are cancelled.

“Rail is the cheaper option and people rely on it. When trains don’t run, you end up paying twice.”

Cape Town’s Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, said the City meets routinely with PRASA through its Service Level Plan forum and the Rail sub-committee of the Intermodal Planning Committee.

“This is all that the City is empowered to do at this stage. Insofar as it relates to the management and operation of Cape Town’s commuter rail network, PRASA still has all of the accountability and responsibility to ensure that Cape Town enjoys a safe and reliable rail service,” Quintas said.

The Southern Line has generally been regarded as one of the more stable corridors in Cape Town’s rail network following years of severe disruption elsewhere, particularly along the Central Line, which was heavily affected by vandalism and infrastructure damage.

The reopening of the Kapteinsklip line forms part of broader efforts to stabilise commuter rail services across the metro and rebuild passenger confidence in rail as a safe, affordable and reliable alternative to road transport.

For regular passengers, however, reliability remains the key measure of progress.

“When trains run well, it makes a huge difference,” the Woodstock commuter said. “But when they don’t, people are left stranded.”

PRASA said it remains committed to restoring a reliable, safe and efficient service along the Southern Line and thanked commuters for their patience as improvements continue.

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