Johannesburg – Transnet SOC Ltd (Transnet) on Monday said it has completed investigations into incidents that led to the suspension of the Blue Train service.
Transnet Spokesperson Ayanda Shezi said the completion of the probe into the incidents that occurred in the latter part of the 2021/22 financial year, “paves the way for services to resume imminently”.
In February this year, management decided to temporarily suspend Blue Train operations as a precautionary measure following three incidents that included:
A derailment on 7 November 2021, where 19 empty coaches derailed at the Union Station Loop in Germiston.
A derailment on 16 January 2022 at the Blue Trains Maintenance Depot in Salvokop.
A fire on 08 February 2022, where a coach that was among those derailed on 7 November 2021 caught fire while in for repairs.
“There were no passengers or crew on board the train during any of the three incidents and no fatalities were reported,” said Shezi.
“Transnet has also conducted a full review of safety and operational procedures focusing on risks to the overall Blue Train service and is confident that all safety-critical issues have been attended to during the suspension of the service.
“Safety is of paramount importance for the staff and passengers on the Blue Train.”
Shezi said a test train has recently been concluded successfully, to ensure that the train is ready to resume services.
Passengers will soon be able to continue to enjoy The Blue Trains award-winning service.
“Further details on resumption of service will be communicated in the coming days,” said Shezi.
