No Trains, No gains! Dilapidated Daveyton Train station locks residents out of the Economy

Open Letter by Mike da Silva, DA City of Ekurhuleni PR Councillor
18 September 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni calls upon the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) and the City of Ekurhuleni to earnestly prepare for repair to the rail network linking Daveyton to the rest of the province.

This once vital node of transportation between Daveyton, Springs, Benoni, and Johannesburg, has been stolen brick by brick and is emblematic of how Daveyton’s residents are locked out of the economy due to a lack of viable, affordable public transportation.

Ekurhuleni’s status as an industrial hub, and significant contributor to the GDP of the country, is undermined because government has failed to secure its rail network.

High costs of transportation have added insult to injury, hindering the city’s ability to tackle its 40% unemployment rate.

Despite promises by PRASA that railway lines would be restored, some by March 2023, there has been no movement.

PRASA has ignored numerous requests by the DA in Ekurhuleni seeking clarity on the matter.

We have now submitted questions through our Parliamentary structures to gain much needed clarity on the matter.

While rail is widely regarded as the most efficient means of moving people and goods, nothing has been done to rescue Daveyton’s train station from falling further into disrepair.

It is possible to turn the tide on the current dire economic fate suffered by Daveyton’s residents, but it requires the political will to do so, from both PRASA and the CoE.

The DA will not rest while Daveyton’s residents remain in poverty and are locked out of economic opportunities while those who can implement solutions sit with their arms folded.

We will continue to push for repairs and the full actualisation of this crucial transport node.