South Africa’s state-owned rail operator targets 50% completion of remaining works, with phased reopening planned through 2027 under its national recovery programme
Following the successful restoration of passenger train service on the Johannesburg–Lenasia corridor, PRASA has confirmed that it is now positioned to complete approximately 50% of the remaining rehabilitation works on the broader Johannesburg–Vereeniging line.
For the past five years, the Johannesburg–Vereeniging rail corridor has remained largely non-operational due to extensive infrastructure damage and ongoing repair work. The recent reopening of the Johannesburg–Lenasia section marks a significant milestone in the phased recovery of the line.
The restored section currently includes key stations such as Johannesburg Park, Braamfontein, Mayfair, Grosvenor, Langlaagte, Croesus, Longdale, New Canada, Mlamlankunzi, Orlando, Nancefield, Kliptown, Tshiawelo, Midway, and Lenasia.
However, the southern stretch from Lawley through to Vereeniging remains closed while rehabilitation efforts continue. According to Prasa’s 2026/27 corporate plan, work between Lenasia and Houtheuwel (also referred to as Houtkop) is scheduled to commence towards the end of the year. The agency expects services to extend to Houtheuwel Station by June 2027, depending on construction progress and system readiness.
Furthermore, PRASA has identified additional priority corridors for rehabilitation, including Daveyton to Germiston and Springs to Dunswart, as part of its broader national rail recovery programme aimed at restoring commuter rail reliability and improving network capacity.
The phased approach reflects PRASA’s strategy of gradually reinstating high-demand commuter routes while addressing infrastructure backlogs that have accumulated over several years of underinvestment and vandalism-related damage.