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The Portfolio Committee on Transport has congratulated the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) on the launch of new passenger rail coaches by President Jacob Zuma and the Minister of Transport, Mr Joseph Maswanganyi.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi, said Committee members were mindful of the challenges facing Prasa. The entity needs stable, sound governance and disciplined leadership for it to be able to deliver on its mandate, she said.

“A stable Prasa that contributes positively to the economy and provides safe and reliable public transport, as espoused by government, is desirable. There is a mammoth amount of work and it requires strong, focussed leadership. This is not only the government’s responsibility, but also the responsibility of the communities using the trains,” she said.

Prasa came to before the Committee to present its annual performance and strategic plans, as part of the budget review process. Ms Magadzi said the Committee was happy with most of the annual performance plans of the Department of Transport and its entities.

Prasa told the Committee that government had allocated over R170 billion to improve the rail infrastructure in the country and that the entity hopes to achieve 80% customer satisfaction by 2020. It also hopes to realise revenue of one billion rand by that time.

“The plans are sound and need leadership now. The value of Prasa’s work should be towards the people of South Africa and growing economic activity. The policy matters that impact on the operations of the entity, like the working relationship with Transnet, will be dealt with at parliamentary level,” Ms Magadzi said.

She called on Prasa to address the matter of a group of dismissed workers, who had approached the Committee for help. Prasa assured the Committee that the acting Group Chief Executive Officer is meeting with the group today (10 May 2017).

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Dikeledi Magadzi