Mitchells Plain's Kapteinsklip train line resumes services, after six years of standing still
The central line is up and running
Image: Supplied
After more than six years of disruption, the Kapteinsklip passenger rail line in Mitchells Plain is finally up and running, after passenger services resumed on Monday. The line had been out of operation since 2020 due to vandalism, unlawful occupation, and ageing infrastructure, leaving thousands of commuters with limited options and increasing reliance on congested roads.
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku welcomed the reopening, calling it a “critical step in rebuilding the province’s public transport network.”
“After years of challenges, the Kapteinsklip line is now serving communities in Mitchells Plain again,” said Sileku. “This is a major milestone in restoring the Central Line corridor and offering commuters a reliable alternative to road travel.”
The line’s reopening builds on earlier recovery efforts that saw services resume from Chris Hani Station in May 2025. While all stations along the corridor are now operational, Sileku said work continues to fix signalling issues to ensure trains run frequently and on time aiming for services arriving “every few minutes, not every hour.”
Although passenger rail falls under national competence through the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the Western Cape Mobility Department has actively collaborated with the agency over the past two years to speed up recovery along the Central Line.
National Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently announced rail reforms, including allowing third-party participation on branch lines and laying the groundwork for private sector involvement. The upcoming National Rail Bill is expected to strengthen collaboration between national, provincial, and local government, paving the way for eventual devolution of passenger rail management.
“These developments reflect PRASA’s renewed commitment to restoring services, coupled with our sustained advocacy,” said Sileku. “Together, we are working to rebuild passenger rail as a safe, reliable, and affordable transport option, while supporting economic growth in the province.”
For Mitchells Plain residents, the return of the Kapteinsklip line is more than a transport upgrade it restores vital connections to jobs, schools, and healthcare, and offers hope that rail can once again serve as the backbone of Cape Town’s public transport system.