The Eastern Cape has reached an important milestone in the restoration of its passenger rail network following the reopening of refurbished railway stations by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy on 27 October 2026. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) invested approximately R115 million in upgrading 10 railway stations across the province, bringing renewed hope to commuters who have faced years of transport disruptions.
Seven of the refurbished stations are located along the East London rail corridor in KuGompo City. These include Mtsotso, Fort Jackson, Panmure, Mdantsane, Arnoldton, Mount Ruth and Wilsonia. The remaining three stations are situated in Gqeberha. The facilities had suffered significant damage and vandalism, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
The refurbishment formed part of PRASA’s National Station Improvement Programme and included major improvements to station buildings, waiting shelters, platforms, lighting, sanitation, drainage and water supply. Backup solar power systems were also installed, while CCTV cameras, alarms, access control and security monitoring were introduced to strengthen passenger safety.
Accessibility was also considered, with refurbished platforms receiving tactile surfaces and markings to assist blind and partially sighted commuters. These improvements are intended to create safer and more accessible facilities for passengers using the railway network.
Speaking during the reopening, Creecy highlighted the importance of restoring affordable passenger rail services, particularly for people living in townships and surrounding communities who depend on trains to travel to work. The minister explained that the absence of reliable train services had forced many commuters to rely on more expensive transport alternatives, placing additional pressure on household finances.
The investment has also contributed to local economic development. According to figures presented during the minister’s visit, the refurbishment programme created approximately 171 direct employment opportunities, involved 27 local small, medium and micro enterprises, and appointed 10 community liaison officers. PRASA has additionally entered into three-year agreements with five local cooperatives to assist with station cleaning and ongoing maintenance.
Passenger numbers in the Eastern Cape have shown encouraging growth, increasing from just over 630,000 in the 2024/25 financial year to more than 1.2 million in 2025/26. PRASA also reported an on-time performance rate of 94.2% during the current financial year, with train cancellations recorded at 4.13%.
Another important development is the approval by the Railway Safety Regulator to increase the operating speed on the Berlin-to-East London railway line from 30 kilometres per hour to 60 kilometres per hour. The improvement is expected to support faster journeys and better commuter services along the corridor.
Despite the progress, significant work remains. Eighteen railway stations in the Eastern Cape still require upgrades, and PRASA has indicated that further rehabilitation will take place over the coming years. Creecy has also urged communities to protect the newly refurbished facilities and report vandalism and theft to the relevant authorities.
The reopening of the stations represents an important investment in public transport infrastructure and economic accessibility in the Eastern Cape. However, the long-term success of the project will depend on consistent maintenance, improved security and reliable train services that meet the daily needs of commuters.
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