NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO 958
DATE REPLY SUBMITTED: THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2009
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: FRIDAY, 28 AUGUST 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 12 â 2009)
Mr M S F de Freitas (DA) asked the Minister of Transport:
(1) Whether the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has a
record on the maintenance and state of each rolling stock item; if
not, why not; if so, (a) how many are not in a functioning condition
and (b) what plans are in place to repair this situation;
(2) whether any processes and procedures are in place to ensure that all
rolling stock is in a safe and fully functioning condition; if not,
why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW1157E
REPLY:
The Minister of Transport:
1) (a) and (b)
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), with regards to its
Metrorail coach fleet, has a record on the maintenance and state of
each rolling stock item. The system used for this purpose is
computerised and is called the Facilities Maintenance Management
System (âFMMSâ). The FMMS is used to configure and control all asset
movements, asset performance and incident logging. It is also
intensively used to do all preventive and corrective maintenance
activity planning, resource balancing and job costing through the work
feedback system. All of the above are used to manage the fleet
performance.
There are currently 108 metro commuter coaches withdrawn from service
due to wreckage, burnings and vandalism. Of the 108 coaches, 30 were
classified as beyond economical repair. The under frames of 14 of
these are repairable and will be upgraded on the 10M upgrade program.
The balance of 16 coaches is totally irreparable and will be proposed
for scrapping. In the last 14 months, PRASA, through its contractors,
repaired 112 accident wrecked and 111 heavy repair coaches, therefore
returning 223 coaches back to service.
With regards to Shosholoza Meyl, the fleet size being transferred from
Transnet to PRASA is currently being verified, and should it be found
that some vehicles are in a non-functioning condition, plans will be
compiled to address this where needed. All Shosholoza Meylâs active
fleet of locomotives and coaches are in a safe and fully functional
condition and this is captured daily on the SAP computerized
maintenance management system. A computerized maintenance management
system of coaches is being transferred from Transnet together with the
fleet and maintenance staff to PRASA. For the maintenance of the
rolling stock, a maintenance plan is compiled which is then submitted
to the maintenance depots for execution of the maintenance. This
maintenance is recorded on the SAP system. Apart from the heavy
overhaul at accredited suppliers and routine depot maintenance,
Shosholoza Meyl trains are inspected prior to every departure as well
as after every trip for safety and comfort checks. This is also
recorded on the SAP system.
(2) PRASAâs maintenance strategy requires all coaches to be road and
service worthy at all times. Therefore, the maintenance activities
focus on reducing safety, operational and financial risks.
PRASA also has a quality management system in line with the ISO 9000
guidelines for such systems. This system has reached maturity in the
Metrorail environment. The work procedures applicable to the rolling
stock maintenance are reviewed by the maintenance engineering
specialists before distribution through a controlled process through
the configuration office.