Residents travelling daily between Pretoria Station and Pienaarspoort say the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) train service continues to make commuting to and from work easier and more affordable.
Many commuters from Mamelodi East rely on the train every morning to reach workplaces in Pretoria and surrounding areas, saying it helps them save money on transport costs compared to taxis and buses.
Regular commuter Thabiso Mokoena said the train remains one of the few transport options working-class residents can still afford.
“The train helps us a lot because transport is expensive these days. With the train, I can get to work and still save money for my family,” he said.
Passengers also described the service as convenient, especially during peak hours when road traffic between Mamelodi and Pretoria becomes heavily congested.
Some commuters, however, appealed to PRASA to continue improving train frequency, safety and reliability to accommodate the growing number of passengers using the route daily.
Community members said, despite occasional delays, the railway service remains an important mode of transport for many residents who depend on affordable public transport to access employment opportunities in the city.