SHOSHOLOZA MEYL
Posted on 09 April 2009
Bill Smith, writing on sar-L:
“On Sunday 22 February I travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town on the Shosholoza Meyl. I was amazed how clean Johannesburg station was. There are a few eating places Wimpy, Nandos and Something Fishy, also CNA, car hire places and a few other miscellaneous stalls. In addition to the usual public toilets there are secure coin-operated pay toilets, R1 per session the toilets are clean and free from vagrants. There was an absence of the usual continuous train announcements, maybe 20:10 or being Sunday had something to do with it. It is just a pity about all the barricades, that and the colour scheme spoil the outlook in general.
“The notice board with A4 sheets indicating seat allocation was printed with a font size 5, bad news if you have weak sight. The train departed spot-on at 10:30. The coach I was in was spotless, the corridor was mopped regularly and the toilets kept clean but the soap dispenser was empty and remained that way. I preferred the old wooden toilet seats; the new plastic type appears dirty and are a bit uncomfortable.
“Spoornet should consider fitting electronic locks on compartment doors that can be activated by ticket holders. The 220v outlet for shavers work for charging cellphones but are usually switched off in the mains box. Bedding now costs R40. The catering is done by Spoornet and the prices are reasonable. Having had a late breakfast at Wimpy, I had a toasted cheese sandwich and tea for lunch at R15. A steak costs R52, lasagne R50, curry R30, hamburger and chips R30: there are also a variety of desserts.
“For supper I had a hamburger, chips and a coke at R30, as good as any elsewhere. The trip was pleasant, on time and enjoyable. Breakfast the next morning was as good as Premier Classe: 2 eggs, bacon, sausage, tomato, toast and coffee R35. The catering staff were neat and polite.
“We passed through Touws River in the blink of an eyelid. Where were the days when it was an important stop? Also missing were the regular station crowd, station foreman, checkers, postal workers, porters, police, vendors, water trolleys, and many others.
“The scenery from Hex River through to Paarl was spectacular. It is grape harvesting time and the pickers were in action. The train arrived in Cape Town 15 minutes early.”
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