{
  "id": 9971816,
  "title": "One ticket for trains, taxis and buses? Durban outlines its R13 billion plan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/one-ticket-for-trains-taxis-and-buses-durban-outlines-its-r13-billion",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-26T11:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/2026-09-26-one-ticket-for-trains-taxis-and-buses-durban-outlines-its-r13-billion-plan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Durban has unveiled a R13 billion plan to modernize its transportation system, encompassing trains, taxis, and buses. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) plans to invest R11 billion in signalling and telecommunications upgrades across multiple corridors, while R2 billion will be spent on rehabilitating the Umlazi Corridor, the busiest passenger rail route in KwaZulu-Natal. The project aims to be completed by May 2031.\n\nCentral to this investment is the modernization of train control and management technology. Enhanced signalling allows for safer and more efficient train operations, potentially doubling the network's capacity, which could see trains run at intervals of five to 10 minutes, substantially reducing passenger wait times. PRASA has also procured 101 new trains to accommodate anticipated demand increases.\n\nMayor Cyril Xaba of eThekwini envisions a reliable and affordable rail network that could significantly reduce daily traffic into the city. He believes that a dependable rail service is both cost-effective and safe, enabling workers to reside farther from economic centers without the need to relocate for proximity to employment opportunities. Xaba anticipates that annual rail passenger numbers could surge from the current 1.8 million to more than 10 million, positioning rail as a key player in alleviating road congestion and improving overall mobility.\n\nThe city's broader vision includes integrating public transport modes under a unified ticketing system. Commuters would be able to use a single ticket for various journeys, transitioning seamlessly from feeder services to trains and buses, and taxis. This integrated system would require operators to agree on revenue-sharing arrangements, potentially reshaping the dynamics between rail and taxi industries, moving beyond competition to a collaborative approach.\n\nHowever, PRASA faces challenges, including informal settlements and illegal waste dumping along the rail network, which impede access for maintenance and rehabilitation efforts. Thami Sithole, PRASA's KwaZulu-Natal Regional Manager, highlighted the need for collaboration with the City of eThekwini to address these encroachments and ensure uninterrupted infrastructure management.",
  "summary": "PRASA is investing R11bn in signalling and telecommunications in KwaZulu-Natal, while eThekwini plans a more integrated system linking trains, buses and taxis.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}