Written by: Samkele Sokhela

The Bucks Farm community has pleaded with Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for building of a new train platform in their area as they have expressed that they suffer when they board or exit the train.

Many train commuters are forced to get off at previous stations because if they don’t, they have to jump from off the train to the ground, because there is no platform at their station.

They have said that the situation is not good for them as they get injured in most instances when they jump off, and it’s even worse for elders as they are admitted to hospitals upon injury.

Community member, Philani Sibhidla stated that he arrived in the area in the year 2003, and has regretted living in the area.

“The situation we are in is saddening. Majority of people living here are financially unstable, and using a train is the only option we have,” said Sibhidla.

He added that the community once gathered in a meeting years ago and wrote a letter to the PRASA offices asking for a new platform but they never got a response.

“We once summoned a community meeting. We wrote a letter that was asking them (for a new platform) but we have never got any response. To be honest, by the way I see things in the area right now, the community has lost hope,” concluded Sibhidla.

Another train commuter, Ivy Sukazi (56) has pleaded for the situation to be solved urgently and expressed that the situation is not only affecting them as elders, but their children are also affected.

“Just imagine an elder like me jumping out the train. Our children are not safe. We cannot live like this. Every time I come back from work, I stop at Cliffdale (a station before Bucks Farm), and walk until I get here in Bucks Farm and that takes 40 minutes,” said Sukazi.

Passenger Railway Agency of South Africa Spokesperson, Zama Nomnganga said that they were not aware of a letter from Bucks Farm. However, he promised that a PRASA team would visit the area soon.

*Caption: A train commuter jumping to the ground due to lack of a platform.