RSR: Defective signalling system a threat to safe railway operations

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has asked controversy-hit Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) to produce a report “conducted by an independent competent individual” on “the integrity of the signalling system in the entire Gauteng region” following a train accident in which a stationary train was hit.

The RSR found that: “Train number 9934 was stationary at a red signal just before Crown Station at the time of the collision. The second train‚ number 9404‚ departed from Booysens Station. The signals were yellow for the second train‚ which indicated that it should proceed with caution as the subsequent signal would be red.

“During the investigation‚ the RSR discovered that the stationary train was not amply protected due to a defective signalling system.”

The signal had been yellow instead of red‚ resulting in the collision in which 239 people were injured.

“The RSR is of the view that the defective signalling system in the section between Kazerne and New Canada Stations is an immediate threat to safe railway operations. The RSR has therefore taken the decision to issue a Prohibition Directive with immediate effect on the utilisation of the signalling system as a primary mode of train protection.”