PRASA's signalling programme is the basis for its target of trains every three to five minutes in Durban and growth from 1.8 million to a projected 10 million passengers a year.
The next step is the unveiling in October of the first of seven sections where signalling has been completed, between Crossmoor and Havenside.
- eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba has commended PRASA for accelerating its Durban passenger rail projects.
- PRASA is undertaking an R11 billion signalling and telecommunications programme across various corridors.
- It is investing approximately R2 billion in the rehabilitation of the Umlazi Corridor.
- On completion, trains are expected to run at intervals of three to five minutes.
- The first of seven completed signalling sections, Crossmoor to Havenside, is to be unveiled in October 2026.
eThekwini Municipality Mayor Cyril Xaba has commended the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) for accelerating projects aimed at enhancing passenger rail services in the city.
Xaba, Members of the Executive Committee (EXCO) and PRASA's top management travelled by train from Durban Station to Umlazi on Friday 25 September 2026 to assess the condition of the corridor and the progress being made to modernise the signalling and telecommunications systems.
PRASA is currently undertaking an R11 billion signalling and telecommunications programme across various corridors. The entity is also investing approximately R2 billion in the rehabilitation of the Umlazi Corridor, which carries the largest number of train passengers in the province. Both projects are at various stages of implementation.
Xaba said the signalling and telecommunications programme is expected to significantly improve the safety, reliability and scheduling of train services.
Upon completion, the project will enable trains to operate at intervals of between three and five minutes, supporting the growth of annual passenger numbers from the current 1.8 million to a projected 10 million.
In October 2026, PRASA will officially unveil the first of seven sections where signalling has been completed. The first section will cover the corridor between Crossmoor and Havenside, while the second section will cover the Rossburgh to Pinetown Corridor.
