Pretoria:The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has introduced 17 new long-distance buses to its City-to-City fleet, marking a significant development as the first such acquisition since 2010. These buses are equipped with advanced safety technology.

According to South African Government News Agency, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced this new addition during a launch event in Pretoria as part of October Transport Month. The theme for the month is 'Building a safe, sustainable, reliable and affordable transport system.'

Creecy highlighted that the acquisition comes after a challenging restructuring process involving management, labour organizations, the PRASA Board, and its shareholder. The new buses are designed to operate on a ring-fenced basis to ensure financial sustainability. They include advanced safety features such as lane assistance, following-distance monitoring, and stability systems. Additionally, drivers will receive monitoring and targeted training, and a control centre will manage incidents during journeys.

The new fleet aims to complement long-distance rail services, providing affordable and reliable travel options for families across cities, towns, and rural areas. Creecy emphasized the ongoing purpose of offering safe, reliable, and affordable public transport.

Looking ahead, PRASA plans to add 30 more coaches by the 2027/28 financial year and an additional 48 in 2028/29, with a total of 95 modern coaches expected by 2030. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to revitalize and rebuild South Africa's passenger rail services by restoring infrastructure, enhancing safety, and improving signalling and commuter service reliability.