South Africa: All long distance passenger rail services are terminated until further notice!

Following a directive received from South Africa's Rail Safety Regulator (RSR), Main Line Passenger Services (MLPS), which operates the long distance passenger train services in South Africa (Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe), has with effect from 21 February 2020 temporarily terminated all long distance passenger rail services in the country. Customers in possession of valid train tickets will receive a full refund. No alternative transport will be provided. According to the press release, in which the MLPS announced the termination of services until further notive, the temporary discontinuation will allow the company to:

• focus on the implementation of an improved maintenance and operational plan before the services are reinstated
• offer an uniformed train service on all routes
• improve on MLPS customer service and meet customer expectations
• offer and improved and reliable train service
• live up MLPS' promise of "A Pleasant Experience"

South Africa: Reinstatement of Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe passenger train services!

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) just informed the public that Main Line Passenger Services (MLPS), which operates the Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long-distance passenger train services in South Africa, is set to reinstate services between Johannesburg - Musina (via Polokwane), Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth and Cape Town - East London.
The service between Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth will operate with effect from 11 December 2019 and will run every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The service from Cape Town to East London (Thursdays) will operate with effect from 12 December 2019, and return (Sundays) from 15 December 2019. The service from Johannesburg to Musina via Polokwane (Fridays) will operate from 13 December 2019 and return (Sundays) from 15 December 2019.

South Africa: Temporary termination of Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe passenger train services!

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) just informed the public that Main Line Passenger Services (MLPS), which operates the Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe long-distance passenger train services in South Africa, has temporarily terminated the Johannesburg > Musina, Johannesburg <> Port Elizabeth, Cape Town <> East London and Johannesburg > Komatiport train services. PRASA names "internal challenges" as the reason for the termination. We'll keep you posted!

South Africa: Sosholoza Meyl train service almost back to normal

What happend in August 2010? Due to a financial dispute and a dispute over certain maintenance certifications for the trains between the newly-established Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), which is now running South Africa's Shosholoza Meyl long-distance train service and Premier Classe, and Transnet, which used to operate the trains, all Shosholoza Meyl tourist & economy trains and all Premier Classe trains were cancelled untill further notice. Some trains were reinstated in September/October 2010, and a full but revised train service was reinstated from 1 December 2010 onwards.

Current situation in April 2011: A new permanent timetable for the Shosholoza-Meyl service was implemented from 01 Dec 2010 (also valid for 2011), but there have already been certain temporary changes. If you are looking for the current timetable, visit www.shosholoza-meyl.co.za. There you can find regulary updated timetables and additional info, including fares, booking etc., regarding the train service. The official website of the Shosholoza-Meyl service (old > Spoornet/Transnet) seems currently no to be kept updated very well or might even be offline.
The Premier Classe services Cape Town <> Johannesburg and Durban <> Johannesburg are running, all other services, such as Cape Town <> Port Elizabeth, Cape Town <> George, Port Elizabeth <> George and Johannesburg <> Hoedspruit, are currently discontinued. Up-to-date info on the service can be found on www.shosholoza-meyl.co.za.