The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) recently launched their new fleet of traims and claim they want to maintain a high standard, therefore no one will be allowed to sell on the trains anymore. Prasa spokeswoman, Andiswa Makanda, said selling and trading inside trains was against their policy and compromising the standard of their service.

A PLAN TO BE MADE FOR HAWKERS

She said the commotion that is caused by hawkers in moving trains compromises the safety of their commuters.
Hawker Sibusiso Sibeko from Zola said he was excited when he heard that trains were coming back. He said it came as a relief because once again he would have the opportunity to make money for his family. "I used to sell potatoes, tomatoes and onions in moving trains. I used to make enough money because I interchanged to different townships."
He said a lot of people were selling vegetables where he stays so it was not an option for him. "I started a carpet cleaning and tekkie washing business. It sustained me but I'd go on for more than three days without getting customers, but on the train there's always somebody buying,"said Sibeko.  MakandaA said an alternative will be put in place to accommodate hawkers inside the agency's premises but not inside the trains. "We don't want to compromise the integrity of our trains," she said.

VANDALISM A BIG ISSUE

She added that vandalism was also an issue for them and they urge the public to refrain from this. "We've had complains of people throwing stones at trains, this is damaging the new fleet and efforts to get more trains back on track." She said the agency's security have launched investigations and will use surveillance and the relevant technology to bring the culprits to book.  "Prasa will intensify outreach to local communities including local schools to promote a culture of collective ownership, pride and responsibility for the trains. Various law enforcement agencies have also been alerted to assist us," said Makanda

?
?