Cape Argus 22 August 2010:
By Warda Meyer – “A Newlands couple’s dream train trip to Johannesburg and the Kruger National Park has been derailed following a decision to temporarily discontinue the long-distance passenger train service. And a couple from Cornwall planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cape Town also had their plans upset.
“Tim and Pam Patten of Newlands booked their trip to Johannesburg in June. ‘We were just about ready to pack our bags when the Shosholoza Meyl’s train service was suspended. We had to read about the developments in the
newspapers. It is all just too ridiculous,’ Tim Patten said.
“They are among the many who had been left in the lurch by the deadlock between Transnet and Prasa. The Pattens said they began planning their holiday in February and decided to take a train trip to rekindle the fond memories they’d shared on the Trans-Karoo trains in the 1970s. ‘We haven’t been on a train for 30 years and we were looking forward to the trip down memory lane, to a time when I was still working as a political reporter covering Parliament.’
“Because the N1 was such an unpleasant highway, with all its taxis and long-distance trucks, they decided to rail their car to Johannesburg and drive on to Mpumalanga from there. ‘The entire trip set us back about R10,000 which included the shipping of our car, a sleeper compartment, and a return trip on the Premier class train. We booked early especially for the Premier Class and things were all hunky-dory, until we opened the newspaper.’
“Patten added that they were pleasantly surprised at the helpful service they received from Prasa and after the cancellation drama, Prasa staff were apologetic.”
“The Transnet and Prasa dispute has also affected foreign visitors and their holiday plans. Thora Angell from Cornwall in England has also been disappointed by the confusion. Born in South Africa but resident in the UK for the past 50 years, she and her Cornish husband are planning a visit to South Africa. She found information about the Shosholoza Meyl Premier Class train on the internet. ‘I clicked on the Premier Class train section and an update note appeared stating that due to the shambles affecting the Shosholoza Meyl trains, including the Premier Class train run by Prasa, all trains would be cancelled till further notice. How disappointing for me and my family. We have now had to book a hired car to get down to Cape Town, which is a long drive for pensioners. I don’t know the reason for the shambles but I do hope that Prasa has the trains back on schedule soon.’”

Original article [Railways Africa]