SOUTH AFRICA: Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa has restored services on its Cape Town – Goodwood – Bellville suburban route after they had been suspended for two years.
The Northern line ceased operations in March 2020 at the start of a 100-day lockdown imposed because of Covid-19. As with several other railways across the country, the line’s infrastructure was severely damaged during the lockdown, stations were vandalised and looted, and overhead cables stolen.
The first commercial service on the line ran on March 16 following two days of test runs without passengers. Parow station, which was badly vandalised, will remain closed for the time being while more extensive repairs are carried out.
The outer section of the line from Bellville to Strand is due to reopen in October.
