Commuters stranded as Gautrain experiences delays

21 July 2016 - 19:23 By Penwell Dlamini

Packed platforms and dark tunnels on the Gautrain network‚ due to an apparent power failure affecting the service‚ are frustrating commuters on Thursday afternoon.The Gautrain Management Agency has blamed power failure for the delays that left commuters frustrated‚ stranded in the dark and jammed onto packed platforms on Thursday afternoon.“The train service across all stations was affected by an unexpected power failure at 15h57. The technicians have restored the power as of 16h30 and whilst the train service is fully operational‚ delays of up to 15 minutes can be expected. We apologise for the inconvenience caused‚” said Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager.Delayed passengers have taken to Twitter to express their frustrations as trains have been delayed by up to a full hour‚ saying that Gautrain management is not communicating with them.Ditaru ‏@DitaruMusic tweeted: "@TheGautrain is offline right now. Power failure. It might be so for an hour or more. #Gautrain No sms sent‚ bad"."NO update @TheGautrain:1h30m delay S4 bus (hectic traffic on Republic/W.Nicol);Trains delayed by 1hr_Packed platforms #gautrain‚" said Busi&Tatenda ‏@1BUSIness88.NO update @TheGautrain:1h30m delay S4 bus(hectic traffic on Republic/W.Nicol);Trains delayed by 1hr_Packed platforms #gautrain - @TrafficSA
— Busi&Tatenda (@1BUSIness88) July 21, 20161"#Gautrain power failure between Centurion and Park Station....aaaand we are stuck in the dark tunnels on the way to Sandton. #Interesting‚" Patricia Ngomane ‏@pngomane shared.#Gautrain power failure between Centurion and Park Station....aaaand we are stuck in the dark tunnels on the way to Sandton. #Interesting
— Patricia Ngomane (@pngomane) July 21, 2016dRob Byrne from ‏@TrafficSA tweeted‚ "#Gautrain #PowerFailure late running trains and busy platforms".Gauteng - #Gautrain#PowerFailure late running trains and busy platforms RT @Reeed1 Cmon... @TheGautrainpic.twitter.com/W08k3zIE4W
— Rob Byrne (@TrafficSA) July 21, 2016fMusanete Sakupwanya ‏@musanete commented: "On the #Gautrain to an audition. I leave early‚ make sure I'm good for time.. Then we have a… https://www.instagram.com/p/BIIGXw7jmz6/"On the #Gautrain to an audition. I leave early, make sure I'm good for time.. Then we have a… https://t.co/dMAhLWEaXA
— Musanete Sakupwanya (@musanete) July 21, 2016vA video posted by Musanete Sakupwanya (@musanete) on Jul 21, 2016 at 7:17am PDT2YC ‏@WhytheRed was angered by the lack of communication with passengers‚ saying: "No announcement ... I want a refund Don't need this crap!"#gautrainNo announcement on TwitterStill hiding your bull shit service? This is rubbish I want a refund Don't need this crap!
— YC (@WhytheRed) July 21, 2016d..

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