(Ecofin Agency) - • Cape Town’s central rail line resumes service after $73 million in repairs
• Line was shut since 2019 due to vandalism and infrastructure decay
• Government targets broader rail recovery to ease urban congestion

South Africa has reopened the central railway line in Cape Town after a five-year shutdown, marking a key step in the government’s broader plan to restore the national rail network. The line, which once carried up to 350,000 commuters daily, links various suburbs to the city center and Bellville.

Closed in 2019, the line suffered from repeated vandalism and equipment theft. Initial recovery efforts were delayed due to the illegal occupation of railway property, which obstructed access and slowed repairs.

The rehabilitation project, valued at 1.3 billion rands (around $73 million), involved rebuilding the tracks, modernizing infrastructure—including stations, elevated lines, and electrical systems—and reinforcing security measures. The reopening is part of a long-term government strategy to revive neglected railway corridors.

South Africa’s rail infrastructure has been in steady decline, with only 7,000 of the country’s 21,000 kilometers of track currently operational. Widespread vandalism, outdated equipment, and persistent underinvestment have all contributed to the deterioration.

The restored Cape Town line is intended to encourage a shift from road to rail transport, with the goal of reducing traffic congestion in urban areas and easing pressure on the road network.