Parliament, Thursday, 30 April 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Transport has called on the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to speedily return refurbished yellow trains to service.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Donald Selamolela, urged the rail agency not to hide the good work PRASA is doing to ensure reliable, well-functioning passenger rail services. “The committee is satisfied with the value the entity is adding to our economy and our communities through the General Overhaul programme. It was a marvel to experience first-hand the work done on the refurbished coaches, the socio-economic impact in the area of Isando and the skills transfer in the rail engineering.”
The Chairperson’s remarks followed the committee’s three-day oversight visit to PRASA and other entities in the transport portfolio. Members conducted a walkabout and received detailed briefings on Wednesday at the Braamfontein depot and the YNF Engineering’s plant, which forms part of the General Overhaul programme in Isando.
During its visit to YNF Engineering’s plant, the committee noted that more than 268 train coaches of the yellow fleet had been refurbished and delivered to PRASA. These coaches could be deployed on the rail network at any time. The committee heard that there had been initial challenges with the GO programme and at PRASA’s Braamfontein Depot.
Mr Selamolela called on PRASA to work harder and ensure refurbished trains are returned to service. “The empowerment value of this programme and the general effort that PRASA is putting into getting the rail sector fully functional are noted. We are satisfied with the work on the Mabopane rail corridor, as well as the Gauteng Nerve Centre, which should soon be fully operational,” the Chairperson said.
Mr Selamolela said it was important to dispel the negativity surrounding rusting trains at the Braamfontein depot and allegations of malfeasance in the General Overhaul programme. “The committee noted that passenger safety is prioritised in the refurbished coaches. Improvements to the coaches align with the broader objectives of safe, affordable and reliable public transport, including ventilation, internet connectivity and digitised operations,” he said. “We are happy that these coaches are receiving much attention to prolong their lifespan. The committee is satisfied that service delivery to poor and deserving South Africans is being expedited.”
The General Overhaul programme refurbishes and repairs the old yellow fleet, while the Gibela fleet (not visited during this oversight) is ramping up production. Mr Selamolela noted that the only concern was the lack of forward planning for the GO contracts, which will end in 18 months.
“We cannot have another 500 employees from this GO contract joining the unemployment queues. So we are saying to PRASA: make the project sustainable and profitable, but, importantly, proactively plan for eventualities,” the Chairperson said. “Return on investment makes business sense, and PRASA must consider how the entity accommodates and takes the programme forward. When trains are locked away and remain unscheduled in depots, it feeds negative perceptions.”
Mr Selamolela expressed pride in all the professionals involved in rail. He said that ridiculing their work could demoralise hardworking professionals and engineers.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT, MR DONALD SELAMOLELA.
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