Letters to the Editor.

On Monday my Dad found a letter in the Cape Times called "Train Trip Nightmare".

Here is what it said:

"During the holidays, I took my child and a friend from overseas on the train side between Claremont and Simon's Town, to enjoy the wonderful coastline from the comfort of a train window. This proved to be a rather uncomfortable nightmare. The windows were scratched and full of graffiti. Some were jammed as were the doors. Some doors remained open, while others could not open, and the first-class carriages were not clearly marked. It appears the new trains have smaller plastic windows unlike other trains around the world.

Scenery is no longer a part of the equation, and it appears Cape Town's Metro system caters only for thugs and gangsters.

No one checked our tickets, nor did we have to use them in any check-in equipment. Hundreds of drunk and disorderly beach goers boarded the trains, seemingly without tickets.

People were smoking and drinking, and music was blaring from cellphones. We met two families with young children travelling from Simom's Town. Their outing ended in a scuffle as they tried to disembark at Muizenberg.

For years, I have been writing to the press and authorities suggesting that trains be upgraded in general, and on this scenic route in particular. But, the new rolling stock are just grim mean machines designed to offer free transport to the masses.

Cape Town's rail network could easily compare to some of the world's top metros should comfort and safety become part of the equation. Next year is the Soccer World Cup year. It is a disgrace that so little has been done." -Agi Orfanos



Of course I can't pass up the opportunity to write a letter! And seeing as our experience was a very different one, I decided to respond.

Here is what I wrote in a letter that was published in this mornings Times, they entitled it "On the right track":

"The letter by Agi Orfanos, "Train trip nightmare" (January 13), refers. We too went on a train trip, from Plumstead to Fish Hoek last week, but our experience was somewhat different.
Yes, there were frustrations, such as the windows not being very conducive to looking at the sea, but the we were pleasantly surprised.
The trains were on time and surprisingly clean, all doors worked properly and there was an abundance of ticket collectors.
We had 5 children with us, aged between 2 and 7, and had a fair amount of baggage as well as 2 prams. The other passengers were very helpful, ensuring that we all got on and off the train with all our belongings. It sounds as though Orfanos might have been traveling on the old Third Class which is probably different to where we were, the coaches marked "Metro Plus", which is the old First Class.
The most frustrating part of the experience was a20 minute wait at St. James station for an unknown reason without an announcement being made to inform passengers of what was going on. It was a pleasant trip. I expected to feel unsafe but I felt very safe. I agree that a lot has to be done to upgrade the service , especially in light of the 2010 World Cup next year. With a bit of initiative and creativity, it may not be all that difficult to a more pleasurable experience." - Debbie Hutton


For more on this story see the post entitled All Aboard, (I haven't figured out how to create a link yet so you'll have to search for it yourself!!).