By Bhekizenzo Zonele
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy on Tuesday officially reopened seven refurbished railway stations in the Eastern Cape as government steps up infrastructure restoration during October Transport Month ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The reopening of the stations along the East London rail corridor comes amid ongoing concerns about public transport infrastructure, service delivery and access to affordable transport.
Arnoldton, Fort Jackson, Mdantsane, Mount Ruth, Mtsotso, Panmure and Wilsonia stations were among the railway facilities vandalised and damaged during the Covid-19 lockdown.
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During a ministerial oversight visit, Creecy said government had a responsibility to restore affordable transport services for communities affected by the disruptions.
“When trains were unavailable, commuters carried the cost. Alternative transport was often more expensive. Time was lost and, for some job seekers, so were opportunities,” she said.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) spent R115 million over the past two financial years refurbishing 10 stations in the Eastern Cape, three of which are in Gqeberha.
The upgrades include improved lighting and sanitation, CCTV surveillance, access control and refurbished platforms.
The investment also supported local economic development, creating 171 direct employment opportunities and involving 27 small, medium and micro enterprises.
“Passenger rail connects communities to opportunity. It narrows the distance between where people live and where they earn a living,” Creecy said.
The restoration of the stations comes as rail commuter numbers increased from approximately 630,000 in 2024/25 to more than 1.2 million in 2025/26.
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PRASA recorded an on-time performance rate of 94.2% and a train cancellation rate of 4.13%, below its annual target of 5%.
The Railway Safety Regulator has also approved an increase in operating speeds on the line between Berlin and East London from 30km/h to 60km/h.
However, 18 stations in the Eastern Cape still require upgrades, underscoring the infrastructure challenges facing government as it seeks to improve public transport services.
Creecy urged communities to protect the rehabilitated infrastructure against vandalism and theft.
“These stations belong to the people of this region. They were rebuilt with public funds, by local hands, for local commuters,” she said.
The reopening forms part of October Transport Month, held under the theme “Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable transport system”.
The initiative comes ahead of the local government elections, with the government seeking to demonstrate progress in restoring public infrastructure and improving access to safe and affordable transport.
