PRASA's Commitment to Safety and Modernisation: Key Takeaways from CEO Hishaam Emeran's Speech at the Railway Safety Conference

At this year’s Railway Safety Conference hosted by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) in Cape Town, Hishaam Emeran, Group CEO of PRASA, delivered a compelling speech emphasising the critical importance of railway safety and the renaissance of South Africa’s rail sector. His remarks painted a clear picture of PRASA’s transformation journey and its commitment to rebuilding a safer, more affordable, and more reliable railway network for the nation.

Emeran began by aligning PRASA’s ongoing initiatives with the conference’s theme, “Rail Renaissance.” He underscored that the rail industry must undergo a full-scale revival to meet growing passenger and freight demands. He noted that a revitalised rail sector would alleviate pressure on South Africa’s congested road networks and provide a safer alternative for transporting passengers and goods.

“Each time we reinstate rail services, we help fight congestion on our roads,” Emeran stated. He called for a collaborative effort in promoting a culture of safety, emphasising that safety is not only the responsibility of railway operators but also of staff, customers, and communities.

Over the last 24 months, PRASA has undertaken an ambitious programme to recover from significant challenges such as infrastructure degradation, theft and criminal activity. These efforts have led to remarkable progress, particularly in reopening key stations and corridors. “We have doubled our passenger numbers in the last 12 months,” said Emeran. However, he acknowledged that while PRASA moved 40 million passengers last year, this figure is still far from the 500 million passengers the agency transported a decade ago.

A cornerstone of PRASA’s strategy is the introduction of new trains, branded as Isitimela Sabantu, These trains, manufactured locally at the Gibela Train Manufacturing Facility in Gauteng, have significantly improved service reliability and availability across the country. Emeran highlighted that this facility could serve as a hub for rolling stock manufacturing across Africa, positioning PRASA to play a leading role in the continent’s rail renaissance.

Safety remains one of PRASA’s highest priorities, and the agency has focused heavily on rehabilitating and securing its rail corridors. “We have recovered more than 80% of our rail corridors and are running services on most of these,” Emeran shared. Major corridors, including Naledi to Johannesburg, Cape Town to Belleville, and Durban’s KwaMashu to Umlazi, are now back in service, providing safe and affordable transport options for commuters.

PRASA is also investing heavily in the latest rail safety technologies, including state-of-the-art signalling systems. Emeran noted that these systems, which are already operational in corridors like the Southern Line in Cape Town, have boosted punctuality and overall service safety. He also mentioned PRASA’s groundbreaking pilot smart walling project in partnership with Huawei, which uses intelligent surveillance to protect key infrastructure.

PRASA’s future relies on modernising its systems and leveraging innovative technology. From upgrading its signalling infrastructure to enhancing train control systems, the agency is on a path to ensuring that safety and operational efficiency go hand in hand. “Technology is an important pillar of our sector,” Emeran stated, pointing out that adopting best-in-class technologies is essential to enhancing railway safety.

While modernisation and safety are central to PRASA’s mission, Emeran reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to affordability. “The majority of our passengers come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds,” he noted, stressing the importance of maintaining affordable fares while improving the quality and reliability of services.

PRASA has also been using its real estate portfolio to generate additional revenue and lessen the agency’s reliance on government subsidies. One notable example is the recent development at Cape Town Station, which now includes 3,300 beds of student accommodation and 7,000 square metres of retail space. This project exemplifies how private-sector partnerships can complement PRASA’s primary mission while contributing to the broader economy.

In closing, Emeran painted a vision of PRASA as a central player in South Africa’s transportation future. “Our vision is to create a safe, reliable, and affordable rail service that is the backbone of public transport in South Africa,” he said. PRASA’s ongoing capital projects have already contributed billions of rand to the economy and created thousands of jobs, but the agency’s impact is expected to grow as it continues to invest in technology, infrastructure, and people.

Emeran encouraged the industry to engage actively in the conference discussions, sharing expertise and exploring synergies to further advance railway safety and growth. He left attendees with a clear message: “Together, we can ensure that our railways are safer, more affordable, and the mode of choice.”

PRASA’s journey of transformation, spearheaded by its CEO Hishaam Emeran, is steadily reviving South Africa’s rail sector. With a clear focus on safety, technological innovation, and affordability, PRASA is not only addressing immediate challenges but also positioning itself as a leader in the rail renaissance across Africa. As PRASA moves forward with its ambitious plans, it aims to be a catalyst for economic growth, social development, and, above all, safe and reliable transportation for millions of South Africans.