Community efforts lead to progress in restoring Simon’s Town rail service
The Simon’s Town Civic Association meet with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) officials in Cape Town to discuss progress on restoring train services to Simon’s Town.
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Efforts to restore a regular train service to Simon’s Town are under way, following a meeting between community representatives and rail officials earlier this month.
Professor David Attwell, chair of the Simon’s Town Civic Association, said he and fellow representative Merle Evertse met with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) officials at Cape Town Station on April 22, to assess progress on the line.
“The purpose of the meeting was to establish what progress had been made on restoring a regular train service to and from Simon’s Town,” Attwell said.
One of the key developments, he said, is a renewed tender process to repair the retaining wall along Long Beach, which has been identified as a major factor in preventing sand from reaching the railway tracks.
He added that, in the meantime, the existing shuttle service between Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek will continue, with plans to increase the number of trains operating during the day.
Additional services may also be introduced for large public events, as was recently done during the Navy Festival.
Looking ahead, Prasa has also confirmed a major infrastructure upgrade for the line.
Attwell said this will include the laying of a new track between Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek, with materials already ordered and on their way from suppliers.
However, the upgrade will require a temporary suspension of the service while the work is carried out, with dates still to be confirmed.
Station improvements are also under consideration, although progress has been slowed by the line's limited revenue compared to busier stations across the Cape Town metro.
“Prasa is open to the idea of a community volunteer effort to clean up and paint the station,” Professor Attwell said.
He added that the possibility of extending the shuttle service beyond Fish Hoek was raised during the meeting, with a request put forward to run trains as far as Kalk Bay or Muizenberg.
A response to this proposal is still pending.
In a bid to strengthen ties and highlight the route's importance, the civic association has also invited Prasa officials to visit Simon’s Town.
Attwell said the proposed visit would give officials, including members of Prasa’s marketing and social media teams, an opportunity to experience the town’s tourism offering first-hand, with stops planned at key local attractions.
He described the engagement as a constructive step forward, with both the civic association and Prasa committed to improving rail services for residents and visitors alike.
The civic association will also host its Annual General Meeting on May 7, at the Simon’s Town Town Hall, starting at 6pm, with arrival from 5.30pm. Entry is free for members and R50 for non-members.
Guest speaker Jean Tresfon will present on efforts to protect coastal habitats from threats such as poaching, pollution and illegal fishing, using visual storytelling to inspire conservation.
The programme will include a welcome and a brief chairperson’s report from Attwell.