The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is pleased the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has heeded its call to limit its fare increases, and by so doing lighten the financial burden on the working class and poor who are the primary consumers of its service.

Last month Prasa announced its intention to hike ticket prices starting 1 August. COSATU, commuters and commuter associations alike were up in arms saying the increase in some zones was nearly 60%.

COSATU called on the rail agency to moderate the fare increases to the prevailing rate of inflation, given households are battling suffocating debt and struggling to keep pace with the rising cost of living with food, electricity and other essentials far above the inflation rate.

The Federation urged Prasa to turn its focus on luring back the millions of commuters it had before Covid-19 and by so doing reposition itself as the mass mover of the working class. Whilst mindful of the significant investment Prasa has made in reviving its infrastructure after it was severely vandalised during lockdown, COSATU felt strongly that the rail agency should aim to recoup costs by swelling the number of commuters that use it as their preferred mode of transport, rather than implementing above inflation price hikes.

The Federation applauds Prasa for listening to COSATU’s call and that of millions of commuters by lowering the percentage by which it increased its prices. COSATU is especially pleased about the discounted prices for learners, military veterans, pensioners as well as the off-peak rates. This is a clear demonstration that the rail agency understands its mandate of providing affordable, safe and reliable transport.

Issued by COSATUZanele Sabela (COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 or 077 600 6639
Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za