This article brings readers up-to-date on the South African metrorail system. The author reports on an interview with Lucky Montana, the CEO of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), an organization launched in 2009. Mr. Montana spoke to journalists in April 2011 at the Prasa headquarters in Braamfontein, discussing the need for additional financing of the rail service, the need for new, energy-efficient coaches and locomotives, the use of local content in new trains, manufacturers that are being included in the bidding for new equipment, the need to increase focus on the passenger service (Metrorail) in addition to the freight service (Transnet), problems with the shift system and labor relations, poor inventory management, lack of adherence to procedures, poor recovery of train services after disruption, and the lack of effective management. The article concludes with a brief review of some of the strategies that will be implemented as PRASA undertakes the process of improving the South African rail service.
Opportunities provided by the soccer world cup in 2010, as well as new thinking in South African cities about public open space, gave Durban an excellent chance to reinvent its beachfront. Although it was initially poorly planned with traffic congestion and some seedy areas, planners decided to take a longer view, beyond the world cup. It is now an accessible water city with room for pedestrians, cyclists, roller bladers and casual strollers,with open spaces, as well as retail and restaurants.
This article revisits the problem of dangerous driving and its impact on vulnerable bicyclists (as well as on other road users, including pedestrians and other automobile users) in South Africa. The author reports on the public outrage at a recent seemingly-low sentence given to an automobile driver convicted of killing a cyclist. The author explores the concept that the essence of saving lives on the road is that there must be consequences for behaviors that cost lives. Other safety factors are reviewed, including the role of bars and pubs in preventing drunk driving, reductions of speed limits especially in residential areas, and better traffic law enforcement. Readers are reminded that the best protection a cyclist has is the focused attention of all vehicle drivers, to look carefully and be aware of the others sharing the roadway.
