Metrorail (Western Cape)

Infobox Public transit
name = Metrorail Western Cape Region


locale = Cape Town, Western Cape
transit_type = Commuter rail
system_length = convert|423|km|abbr=on
vehicles = 79 trainsets (868 coaches)
stations = 109 (+ 5 halts)
ridership = 621,000 (as of 2004)
track_gauge = RailGauge|42
operator = Metrorail
owner = South African Rail Commuter Corporation

Metrorail (Western Cape) operates commuter and suburban rail services in the Cape Town metropolitan area, as well as some services to nearby towns. The services are provided by Metrorail, who operate in the main cities of South Africa. The routes are probably the most comprehensive of any of the major cities in South Africa but some key areas have no train service, notably the Atlantic suburbs and Tableview.

In 2006 a serious level crossing accident killed 19 people. See 2006 Cape Town truck-train collision.

Most services commence or terminate at the main Cape Town station in the centre of the city, which has 24 platforms. All services are by electric multiple units, aside from the daily train to Malmesbury which is on a non-electrified line.

There are 79 operational trainsets, made up of 868 coaches. There are 671 scheduled trains per weekday, operating over convert|423|km|lk=on of track to 109 stations and 5 halts. As of 2004 there were an average of 621,000 daily weekday passenger trips. [cite book|title=2006 Time Table|year=2006|publisher=Metrorail Cape] There are four main routes, as follows.

outhern Line

This line runs next to False Bay on the section south of Muizenberg and serves some of the southern suburbs of Cape Town.

The following stations are served by trains on this route. Some services terminate at Fish Hoek or Retreat.

*Cape Town Railway Station
*Woodstock
*Salt River
*Observatory
*Mowbray
*Rosebank
*Rondebosch
*Newlands
*Claremont
*Harfield Road
*Kenilworth
*Wynberg
*Wittebome
*Plumstead
*Steurhof
*Diep River
*Heathfield
*Retreat
*Steenberg
*Lakeside
*False Bay
*Muizenberg
*St James
*Kalk Bay
*Fish Hoek
*Sunny Cove
*Glencairn
*Simon's Town

Cape Flats Line

This line runs on the same route as the Simon's Town line as far as Salt River and then serves the following stations

*Koeberg Road
*Maitland
*Ndabeni
*Pinelands
*Hazendal
*Athlone
*Crawford
*Lansdowne
*Wetton
*Ottery
*Southfield

The line then rejoins the Simon's Town before Heathfield station and trains terminate at Heathfield or Retreat

Bonteheuwel and beyond

Trains either run on the same route as the Cape Flats line as far as Pinelands, and then divert on a separate line to Langa or travel on a separate route out of Cape Town that pass the following stations

*Esplanade
*Ysterplaat
*Mutual
*Langa

After Langa, all trains pass through the next station, Bonteheuwel, where there is another diversion of routes. Some trains pass the following stations through to Bellville, Cape Town

*Lavistown
*Belhar
*Unibell
*Pentech
*Sarepta
*Bellville

The other route diverts south through the following stations

*Netreg
*Heideveld
*Nyanga
*Philippi

The line splits further here, one route serves Mitchell's Plain through the following stations

*Lentegeur
*Mitchell's Plain
*Kapteinsklip (terminus)

The other line serves Khayelitsha and has the following stations

*Stock Road
*Mandalay
*Nolungile
*Nonkqubela
*Khayelitsha

Bellville and beyond

This is complex network of lines that serve the northern suburbs of Cape Town as well as some outlying towns. Most services go on the same route as the Cape Flats line as far as Maitland, and then pass the following stations towards Bellville.

*Woltemade
*Mutual
*Thornton
*Goodwood
*Vasco
*Elsies River
*Parow
*Tygerberg
*Bellville

Services diverge here. Some go on the route of the main line to Johannesburg as far Wellington serving the following stations

*Stikland
*Brackenfell
*Eikenfontein
*Kraaifontein
*Muldersvlei
*Klapmuts
*Paarl
*Huguenot
*Dal Josafat
*Mbekweni
*Wellington

The other route from Bellville diverges to the south and passes the following stations

*Kuils River
*Blackheath
*Melton Rose
*Eerste River

This line diverges again, with one route serving the Somerset West and Strand area

*Faure
*Firgrove
*Somerset West
*Van Der Stel
*Strand

The other route is known as the Stellenbosch loop and serves the university town of Stellenbosch and then rejoins the main line to Johannesburg at Muldersvlei where services on this route terminate.

*Lynedoch
*Vlottenburg
*Stellenbosch
*Du Toit
*Koelenhof
*Muldersvlei

In addition, some services use an alternate route to Bellville (used by long distance passenger trains), passing the following stations.

*Esplanade
*Ysterplaat
*Kentemade
*Acacia Park
*Monte Vista
*De Grendel
*Avondale
*Oosterzee
*Bellville

Finally, there are trains to each of the following
*Worcester- this continues on the main line to Johannesburg beyond Wellington and serves some smaller communities along the way
*Malmesbury- this diverges from the main route at Kraaifontein and also serves a few small communities on the route to the town of Malmesbury.

ee also

*Metrorail (South Africa)
*Cape Town

References

External links

* [http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/ Metrorail Cape Town website]
* [http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/_routes/2006_linear_routemap.pdf Map of current network]