First train departs Bellville since reopening of northern line

Metrorail also finalised improvements and upgrades to three of the six stations on the northern line: Tygerberg, Vasco and Elsies River stations.

The northern line trains between Cape Town and Bellville are running again after Metrorail closed the line at the start of lockdown in March 2020.

Trains ran without passengers on Monday and Tuesday and the first train with passengers departed Bellville at 5am on Wednesday and was bound for Cape Town, according to acting Metrorail spokeswoman Nana Zenani.

“Our aim is to get services back throughout the entire Western Cape. It won’t be easy but the team is prepared,” said Ms Zenani.

Metrorail had to get approval from the Rail Safety Regulator and meet readiness criteria, including repairs and staff training, before it could open the line.

All stations between Cape Town and Bellville would be operational besides Parow station, said Ms Zenani.

“It still requires extensive work due to vandalism but it should be repaired by the end of the year.”