Metrorail has once again failed to keep railway tracks in South Africa safe. Earlier this morning a pedestrian ignored the warning bell on the tracks and died after being hit by the train. Metrorail had to delay its service between Johannesburg and Pretoria by an hour while emergency teams were working at the scene to clear the site.
Mr. Steve Harris, General Secretary of the United National Transport Union (UNTU), condemn Metrorail for not doing enough to prevent these incidents as they occur at least three to four times per month.
“These incidents are extremely dangerous as it endangers the lives of innocent commuters and train drivers. Depending on the speed the train is travelling it will not be possible for the train driver to stop the train in less than 800 m to 1 km. There is also a risk that the train can derail which could result in the loss of more lives.”
According to Mr. Harris the public at large are unaware of the intense trauma train drivers and their families suffer from as a result of these incidents. Train drivers work under immense pressure to prevent these incidents over which they have no control.
“Depending on the circumstances the train driver may get suspended pending an investigation into the incident resulting in the loss of overtime payment which they are mostly dependent on. Last year a train driver lost his job because it was found that he should have done more to prevent a similar incident that occurred during the night,” says Mr. Harris.
UNTU urge pedestrians and commuters not to cross railway tracks but to rather make use of pedestrian bridges provided for them.
For further enquiries please phone Mr. Harris on (011) 728 0120 or 082 566 5516.
Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer. For UNTU Press Releases e-mail sonja@untu.co.za or phone 082 463 6806.
FACEBOOK – United National Transport Union
TWITTER – UNTU@HeadofficeUntu
