Has Metrorail lost the plot & compassion?

Metrorail Western Cape experienced their worse day in the past 3 years yesterday and the funny thing is they could have avoided it if someone took ownership, responsibility and had the courage to stand up and lead – unfortunately their leadership skills are on one of the trains that are delayed.

Two things frustrated me: that they could have avoided the chaos and no senior management were on trains, even though they knew trains would be delayed for more than an hour.

This led to me first sending an email to the Regional Manager and his senior team and then to the minister of transport, Dipuo Peters. Here’s an extract of both:

Email to Metrorail Regional Manager

Drivers don’t have any communication with operations and at least two trains are standing outside Brackenfell, while buses are at the station, not transporting commuters

Now I would like to know:

1) Which bright spark at Metrorail decided to approve one line to be open, after operations decided Wellington trains will go via Stellenbosch on the Muldersvlei Line? Surely it does not take a rocket scientist to know that if there was a derailment a line will be closed and fixing that line will take hours - even if one line is open. Why still have all trains go that route and cause trains to be delayed by up to 3/4 hours.

If those trains went via Stellenbosch they would have been delayed by max 60 minutes.

2) Why would drivers have no communication with Operations? We live in 2015 and everyone has a cellphone so no communication should be the last of Metrorail's silly excuses.

3) Why is the Regional Manager and ALL his HOD's not on Wellington trains explaining to commuters the chaos and assisting.

Here's a quick reality check:

(a) There are parents on those trains who will have to pay their Day Care mothers extra (per hour) because Metrorail again failed to plan better.

(b) There are people on those trains who missed out on opportunities thanks to Metrorail.

(c) There are people on those trains who will sign warning letters and face disciplinary action because Metrorail thought it could operate with one line.

Dear Regional Manager, you have in the past six months failed to publicly hold anyone responsible for incompetent decisions or take full responsibility for chaos on the lines, my humble request is that you not let this opportunity pass and not hold staff accountable!

Email to Minister Peters:

Currently Metrorail Western Cape is in chaos and the management is refusing to admit they have made errors today.

A Metrorail Western Cape HOD told me that even though there are managers at the station, Head of Departments don't get on trains (to engage with commuters) on the chaos. The HOD maintained this even after I said not even the Customer Services and Communication HOD's. People have been on trains this evening for four hours and the statement by a senior Prasa employee is TOTALLY unacceptable.

Metrorail was well aware of this chaos, and could have avoided this. Still their senior management don't see it important for them to be on a train engaging commuters and then I ask myself has this really become a money making business with NO human factor.

HAS METRORAIL NOW REALLY LOST THE PLOT AND HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO COMPASSION FOR THEIR FELLOW MAN/WOMAN?

Checking Metrorail's tickets

I have been criticizing Metrorail for some time and frankly I’m not yet planning on stopping to help them create a better service.

See I was once told I should be the change I want to see, and I’m really trying hard in helping Metrorail create the change I want to see by being an active commuter who:

1. Tap them on the shoulder when they do something good – not really a lot of those moments, but they there.
2. Share information with Metrorail that could help them better their service and this would include incidents on a train or line or station – they just have to do the follow-up.
3. Criticize them to better their service, especially customer service and communication.
4. Share information and assist fellow commuters with information.

I’ve written a few blogs on Metrorail and the terrible service. I’ve admitted that changing the system will not happen overnight and a better rail infrastructure will not appear as cable theft increases. There are three things Metrorail can implement and make a priority ASAP, for this to happen the different departments within the rail operator should work more integrated.

With the above as background, in November I was challenged to one day in peak time check train tickets at Cape Town station.

Obviously I was nervous, who wouldn't be, if you check the small font on the tickets.

I was given training, for about 5 minutes – due to security reasons I cannot give more details on this.

While I have new respect for ticket verifiers, my opinion on the way they work has not changed though.

I enjoyed the experience and learned a few exciting things. It was also exciting to see such friendly and some really grumpy faces early in the morning.

Checking all the info on a ticket, counting and greeting makes it a challenge to say how many people come pass you. All I know is that atleast seven trains stopped and those commuters came pass me – and this is not even adding those entering Cape Town station going to platforms. I would say I counted about 30 to 40 if not 45 tickets per minute, almost at the average, for a rookie.

Now that I have been to Metrorail’s operational centre, taken a trip on their Tourism Train and even check tickets, I have a few other things on my list to experience with Metrorail.

Metrorail's Bellville secret

Overcrowding at Bellville station on a typical winters day, with all exits open and electronic notice boards working.

The secrecy regarding Prasa/Metrorail doesn’t stop with their whole make-over.

It would appear as if majority of staff are in the dark as to just what building is under construction at Bellville. Metrorail, oops Prasa, will move their operational centre (currently on Cape Town station) to Bellville station.

Now one could ask if this move is being done to restore the confidence in the ailing railway service amongst commuters on that line. Taking into account that Metrorail cannot see what is going on, on tracks beyond Stikland and moving the operational centre closer to stations they cannot see, staff and commuters might have more confidence.

Personally I think they are making a big mistake and should rather have spent the money on equipment at the current CMOCC as well as on security – would appear as if like customer service, security is not that important – for commuter’s atleast.

The other issue with Bellville is that the current construction goes against building regulations and I’ve pointed this out to Metrorail, who basically ignored my email.

Currently there is only one subway with one entrance/exit commuters can use.

Should anything happen at Bellville station and there need to be an emergency evacuation; hundreds will not make it, because there’s only one exit. And anyone who has been in that subway in peak-time would understand my statement. (it’s even impossible for me to make a video and add it to this blog)

When raising this issue with the current station manager, she indirectly admitted that it is something Metrorail failed to take note of and raise and I should know construction is not being done by Metrorail.

Now this made me ask her, so you who manage and work at the station everyday could give no input! There is a delay on that answer.

boards at Century City also off.

To make matters worse, electronic boards at the station are out of order, due to the construction work. But typical Metrorail there was no planning for this as there are nowhere on the station a notice apologising for the inconvenience and saying notice boards are not working.

It took Metrorail a month to admit electronic notice boards are out of order.

While I wonder, I also know not the Regional Manager, or any of his HOD’s, the Area Manager or the mentioned station manager has walked on those platforms since construction started. 

If they have, they would have known the seriousness of the situation and had contingency plans in place by now – this is now if one would assume they really care about commuters.

Matric Pass Rate 2014 per Region and School

The long wait for the 2014 NSC examination results is now over, with thousands of NSC candidates having received their National Senior Certificate results.

Here's the pass rate for:

• Cape Winelands

• Overberg

• West Coast

• Eden and Sentral Karoo

• Metro Districts

Matric Pass Rate 2014: Overberg and West Coast

The Overberg received an 88.1% pass rate in 2014 and the West Coast District 88.4% 

OVERBERG

• Albert Myburgh Sekondêre 79.1%
• Barrydale High 87.8%
• Bredasdorp High 97.9%
• De Rust Futura Academy 93.5%
• De Villiers Graaff High 100%
• Emil Weder Sekondêre 89.6%
• Gansbaai Academia 89.5%
• Grabouw High 96.3%
• Groenberg Sekondêre 93.8%
• Hawston Sekondêre 78.2%
• Hermanus High 98.6%
• Northcliff House College 100%
• Olyfkrans College 100%
• Overberg High 100%
• Qhayiya Secondary 75%
• Riviersonderend High 87.5%
• Swartberg Sekondêre 84.2%
• Swellendam Sekondêre 81.1%
• Swellendam High 100%
• Umyezo Wama Apile Prim. 70.9%
• Villiersdorp Sekondêre 78.3%

 
WEST COAST

• Augsburg Landbougimnasium 98.6%
• Cederberg Academy 83.1%
• Clanwilliam Sekondêre 77.3%
• Diazville High 83.2%
• Dirkie Uys High School 100%
• Graafwater High 100%
• Lutzville High 100%
• Naphakade Secondary 63.8%
• Nuwerus High 92.3%
• Piketberg High 98.3%
• Porterville High 100%
• Schoonspruit Sekondêre 88.1%
• Steynville Sekondêre 70.5%
• Swartland High 98.1%
• Vanrhynsdorp High 91.1%
• Velddrif High 100%
• Vredenburg High School 99.3%
• Vredendal Sekondêre 90.4%
• Vredendal Hoër 98.6%
• Wesbank Sekondêre 86.5%
• Weston Sekondêre 81.7%

Matric Pass Rate 2014: Metro Regions

METRO CENTRAL: 82.2%

• Abbott`S College 96.9%
• Al-Azhar Institute - Cape Town 85%
• Alexander Sinton Secondary 94.3%
• Arcadia Sen. Sekondêre 60.7%
• Athlone Secondary 66.0%
• Beauvallon Sekondêre 46.7%
• Belgravia Secondary 87.7%
• Bishops 100%
• Bonteheuwel Sekondêre 83.3%
• Bridgetown Secondary 77.7%
• Buren Hoërskool 91.3%
• Camps Bay Hoërskool 100%
• Canons Creek Prim 100%
• Cape Town Hoër 97.6%
• Cathkin Secondary 69.4%
• Central College 100%
• City Mission Educational 57.1%
• Claremont High School 100%
• Crystal Sekondêre 71.0%
• Damelin College 97.4%
• Darul Islam Islamic High 92.9%
• Dominican Grimley 100%
• Fezeka Secondary 65.6%
• Gardens Commercial High 93.0%
• Garlandale Sekondêre 77.6%
• Good Hope Seminary High 98.4%
• Groenvlei Secondary 81.6%
• Groote Schuur High 94.4%
• Harold Cressy High 90.4%
• Heideveld Sekondêre 82.7%
• Heritage College 100%
• Herschel High 100%
• Herzlia High 100%
• Holy Cross Convent (Maitland) 100%
• Houtbaai Sekondêre 62.0%
• I. D. Mkize Sen Secondary 62.5%
• Icra Comprehensive School 100%
• Ikamvalethu Secondary 35.7%
• Intshukumo Secondary 41.8%
• Isilimela Secondary 57.9%
• Islamia College 99.0%
• Jan Van Riebeeck High 100%
• Kensington Secondary 82.5%
• Kulani Secondary 46.8%
• Langa Secondary 44%
• Leap Science And Maths 93.9%
• Livingstone High 99.4%
• Maitland Sekondêre 76.1%
• Manenberg Sekondêre 47.6%
• Modderdam Sekondêre 64.2%
• Mount View Secondary 79.1%
• Ned Doman High 70.7%
• Oaklands Sekondêre 91.8%
• Oude Molen Hoër Tegniese Skool 88.2%
• Peak View Sekondêre 77.4%
• Phoenix Sekondêre 61.1%
• Pinelands High 100%
• Premier College 79.2%
• Queen`S Park High 93.3%
• Rhodes High 89.5%
• Rondebosch Boys` High 100%
• Rustenburg Girls` High 100%
• Rylands High 95.4%
• Salt River Secondary 76.3%
• Sans Souci Girls` High 100%
• School Of Hope 57.1%
• Sea Point High 90.6%
• Silverstream Sekondêre 30.0%
• South African College High 100%
• Spes Bona High 76.8%
• St Cyprian`S 100%
• St Georges Grammar 100%
• St Joseph`S College 96.9%
• Star International High 100%
• Stonefountain College 70%
• Thandokhulu Secondary 85.2%
• The Leadership College 87.5%
• Trafalgar Secondary 85.6%
• Vista High 86.6%
• Vista Nova 100%
• Voortrekker High 97.1%
• Walmer Secondary School 88.2%
• Westerford High 100%
• Windermere Sekondêre 71.2%
• Windsor High 84.1%
• Y-2-K College 90.4%
• Zonnebloem Nest Senior 82.5%

 
METRO EAST: 81.5%

• Bellville High 100%
• Blackheath Sekondêre 62.8%
• Boston Private 93%
• Brackenfell High 99.3%
• Bulumko Secondary 59%
• Centre of Science And Technology 90.7%
• Chris Hani Secondary 80.8%
• De Kuilen High 99.2%
• Dunatos Privaatskool 81.8%
• Eersterivier Sekondêre 81.9%
• Esangweni Secondary 61.1%
• Forest Heights High 77.5%
• Good Hope High 78.3%
• Gordon Sekondêre 77.8%
• Harry Gwala Secondary 73.8%
• Helderberg High 95.8%
• Hottentots-Holland High School 97.7%
• Intlanganiso Secondary 82.9%
• Iqhayiya Secondary 83.5%
• Jan Kriel-Skool 87.7%
• Joe Slovo Secondary 69.0%
• Khanyolwethu Secondary 61.9%
• Kleinvlei Sekondêre 69.6%
• Kwamfundo Secondary 83.2%
• Luhlaza Secondary 73.4%
• Macassar Sekondêr 68.1%
• Madrasatur Rajaa Strand High 95.5%
• Malibu Sekondêre 81.7%
• Manyano High 80.6%
• Manzomthombo Secondary 91.4%
• Masiyile Senior Secondary 78.6%
• Matthew Goniwe Memorial High 72.9%
• Mondeor Eco School 82.4%
• Monument Park High 99.5%
• Natural Learning Academy 100%
• Parel Vallei High 99%
• Rusthof Sekondêre 70.6%
• Sarepta Sekondêre 91.2%
• Scottsdene Sekondêre 90%
• Scottsville Sekondêre 68.4%
• Simanyene Secondary 72.4%
• Sinako High 75.3%
• Siphamandla Secondary 92.4%
• Sizimisele Secondary 68.1%
• Somerset West Private 100%
• Strand Sekondêre 71.8%
• Strand High 98.4%
• The Equestrian Academy Of Cape Town 100%
• Thembelihle High School 61.2%
• Tuscany Glen Secondary 80.3%
• Usasazo Secondary 75.5%
• Uxolo High 68.6%
• Valsbaai High 100%
• Western Cape Sport 82.3%
• Zandvliet High 68.0%
• Zola Senior Secondary 76.1%

 
METRO NORTH: 81.3%

• Abbotts College Milnerton 100%
• Athlone Skool Vir Blindes 46.7%
• Atlantis Sekondêre 75.2%
• Bardale Secondary School 77.1%
• Belhar Sekondêre 80%
• Bellville Hoer Tegniese Skool 97.8%
• Bellville-Suid Sekondêre 70.7%
• Bernadino Heights Sekondêre 96.9%
• Bishop Lavis Sekondêre 55.4%
• Bloekombos Secondary 61.7%
• Bloubergrant Secondary 97.2%
• Bosmansdam High 98.0%
• Cape Town Studies And Tours 100%
• Cbc St John`S Parklands 100%
• Cravenby Secondary 75.4%
• D.F. Malan High 100%
• Dr. Nelson R. Mandela High 46.3%
• Durbanville High 98.1%
• Eben Donges High 93.3%
• Edgemead High 98.1%
• Elsiesrivier Sekondêre 88.8%
• Elswood Sekondêre 71.1%
• Emmanuel Christian Academy 80%
• Excelsior Sekondêre 89.9%
• Fairbairn College 100%
• Fairmont High 99.6%
• Fisantekraal High 43.3%
• Florida Sekondêre 85.6%
• Goodwood Kollege 98.7%
• Hector Peterson Secondary 60.3%
• Hindle High School 92.4%
• Inkwenkwezi Secondary 77.2%
• Iqra Academy 87.9%
• J.G. Meiring High 93.6%
• John Ramsay Sekondêre 64.4%
• Kasselsvlei Komprehensiewe High 74.2%
• Kuils River Technical Secondary 48.5%
• Leiden Secondary 73.3%
• Marian Rc Secondary 98.1%
• Masibambane Secondary 83.5%
• Masibambisane Secondary 47.5%
• Melkbos Strand Private 100%
• Mfuleni Secondary 50.6%
• Milnerton High 99.5%
• Mountain View Academy 88.9%
• New Eisleben Secondary 55.9%
• Parklands College 100%
• Parow High 98.5%
• Perseverance Sekondêr 56.2%
• President High 95%
• Proteus Sekondêre 61.7%
• Range Sekondêre 67.7%
• Ravensmead Sekondêre 89.5%
• Riverside College 83.3%
• Robinvale High 88.1%
• Rosendaal Sekondêre 60.4%
• Saxonsea Sekondêre 91.0%
• Silversands Secondary 73.2%
• Simunye Sekondêre 73.1%
• Sinenjongo High 89.1%
• St. Andrew`S Sekondêre 44.9%
• Stellenberg High 99.7%
• Sunningdale 100%
• Symphony Sekondêre 67.1%
• Table View High 99.5%
• Settlers High 98.6%
• Tygerberg High 98.2%
• Uitzig Sekondêre 46.2%
• Unity Christian Campus 80%
• Valhalla Sekondêr 86%
• Voorbrug Sekondêre 57%
• Wallacedene Secondary 67.3%
• Wesbank Sekondêre 80.6%

 
METRO SOUTH: 81.8%

• Aloe Secondary 67.9%
• Beacon Hill Sekondêre 83.5%
• Bergvliet High 99.5%
• Cape Academy for Maths Science and Tec 94.3%
• Cedar Secondary 66.8%
• Christel House 97.7%
• Constantia Waldorf 100%
• Crestway Secondary 82.2%
• Darul Argam Islamic 93.3%
• Darun Na’im High School 100%
• Fairmount Secondary 77.2%
• Fish Hoek Senior High 98.3%
• Focus College 52.6%
• Glendale Secondary 83.3%
• Grassdale Hoer 95.4%
• Grassy Park Secondary 89.0%
• Immaculata Rk Secondary 95.5%
• Intsebenziswano Secondary 58.0%
• Lavender Hill Secondary 74.6%
• Lentegeur Secondary 68.7%
• Lotus Sekondêre 46.2%
• Masiphumelele High 74.2%
• Mondale High 97.6%
• Muizenberg High 98.4%
• Norman Henshilwood High 100%
• Ocean View Secondary 89.1%
• Oscar Mpetha High 59.6%
• Oval North Secondary 86.7%
• Pelican Park High 88.9%
• Phakama Secondary 45.2%
• Phandulwazi High 63.2%
• Phillipi Secondary 73%
• Plumstead High 88%
• Portland Secondary 82.6%
• Princeton Secondary 74.8%
• Rocklands Secondary 85.6%
• Shiloah Christian 100%
• Sibelius High 67.1%
• Simon`S Town 87.7%
• Sinethemba Secondary 63%
• Sithembele Matiso Secondary 61.9%
• Sophumelela Secondary 88.1%
• South Peninsula High 95.8%
• Spine Road Secondary 100%
• Springfield 100%
• Steenberg Secondary 86.9%
• Strandfontein Sekondêre 82%
• Tafelberg 100%
• Tafelsig Sekondêre 86.9%
• The Oracle Academy 97%
• Vuyiseka Secondary 62.4%
• Westridge Secondary 70.9%
• Wittebome High 84.6%
• Woodlands Secondary 75.4%
• Wynberg Sekondêre 79.6%
• Wynberg Boys` High 98.6%
• Wynberg Girls` High 99.4%
• Zeekoevlei Secondary 98.2%
• Zisukhanyo Secondary 69.6%
• Zwaanswyk High 88.8%

Matric Pass Rate 2014: Eden and Central Karoo District

The Eden and Central Karoo district received an 80.2% pass rate

• Albertinia Hoërskool 96.8%
• Aurial College 84.6%
• Bastiaanse Sekondêre 59.3%
• Beaufort-Wes Sekondêre 79.5%
• Bridgton Sekondêre 83.5%
• Calitzdorp Hoërskool 97.5%
• Concordia High School 65.2%
• De Rust Sekondêre 91.1%
• Dysselsdorp Sekondêre 73.3%
• Fezekile Secondary 61.2%
• George Sekondêre 83.8%
• Gerrit Du Plessis Sekondêre 60.6%
• Groot-Brakrivier Sekondêre 88%
• Haarlem Sekondêre 92.2%
• Heidelberg Hoërskool 100%
• Hillcrest Sekondêre 80.3%
• Imizamo Yethu Secondary 51.5%
• Indwe Secondary 62.0%
• Kairos Sekondêre 94.4%
• Knysna Sekondêre 60.6%
• Knysna Hoërskool 97.9%
• Ladismith Sekondêre 77%
• Ladismith High 100%
• Laingsburg Hoërskool 75%
• Langenhoven Gimnasium 97.8%
• Langenhoven Hoërskool 100%
• Mandlenkosi Secondary 73.8%
• Morester Sekondêr 76.8%
• Murray High 62.5%
• Murraysburg Hoërskool 28.9%
• Oakdale Landbouskool 100%
• Oudtshoorn Hoërskool 97.7%
• Outeniqua Hoërskool 100%
• P.W. Botha Kollege 92.7%
• Pacaltsdorp Sekondêre 80.6%
• Parkdene Sekondêre 69.3%
• Percy Mdala Hoërskool 75.5%
• Plettenbergbaai Sekondêre 72.2%
• Punt Hoërskool 98.5%
• Sao Bras Sekondêre 84.3%
• Sentraal Hoërskool 100%
• Shalom Akademie 100%
• Thembalethu Secondary 73.9%
• Uniondale Hoërskool 95%
• Wittedrift Hoërskool 100%
• York Hoërskool 98.8%
• Zwartberg Hoërskool 85.5%

Matric Pass rate 2014: Cape Winelands Region

The Cape Winelands District received an 83.3% pass rate

• Al-Azhar Institute Of Paarl 80%
• Ashton Sekondêre Skool 69.1%
• Ashton Public Combined 94.3%
• Bella Vista Hoërskool 87.2%
• Bergrivier Sekondêre 70.2%
• Bloemhof Hoërskool 100%
• Boland Landbouskool 100%
• Bonnievale Hoërskool 100%
• Breerivier Hoërskool 74.2%
• Bridges Academy 75.0%
• Ceres Sekondêre 72%
• Charleston Hill Sekondêre 55.1%
• Charlie Hofmeyr Hoërskool 98%
• Cloetesville Hoërskool 78.3%
• De Kruine Sekondêre 75.9%
• De La Bat-Skool 100%
• Desmond Mpilo Tutu Secondary 76.3%
• Drostdy Hoër Tegniese Skool 99.3%
• Esselenpark Sekondêre 88.5%
• Franschhoek Hoërskool 90.3%
• Gimnasium Hoërskool (Paarl) 99.5%
• Goudini Hoërskool 67.6%
• Groendal Sekondêre 86.2%
• Hexvallei Sekondêre 83.9%
• Hexvallei Hoërskool 96.3%
• Hoer Jongenskool Paarl 99.4%
• Hugenote Hoërskool 100%
• Ihlumelo Junior Secondary 52.9%
• Iingcinga Zethu Secondary 43.5%
• Kayamandi Secondary 68.3%
• Klein Nederburg Sekondêre 88.8%
• Kylemore Sekondêre 68.2%
• La Rochelle Meisies Hoërskool 100%
• Labori Hoërskool 93.4%
• Langeberg Sekondêre 74.7%
• Luckhoff Sekondêre 83.9%
• Makupula High 81.0%
• Masakheke Combined 71.1%
• Mcregor Waldorf 100%
• Montagu Hoërskool 100%
• Montana Hoërskool 100%
• Mount View Education Centre 100%
• New Orleans Sekondêre 82.4%
• Noorder-Paarl Sekondêre 78.5%
• Paarl Girls Hoërskool 100%
• Paul Roos Gimnasium 99.1%
• Paulus Joubert Sekondêre 88.7%
• Pionier-Skool 100%
• Rhenish Girls` Hoërskool 100%
• Robertson Hoërskool 100%
• Roodezandt Sekondêre 86.4%
• Skurweberg Sekondêre 77.4%
• Stellenbosch Hoërskool 99.3%
• Stellenzicht Sekondêre 72.2%
• Tertia Theron Privaatskool 80%
• Tulbagh Hoërskool 100%
• Van Cutsem Combined 63.2%
• Vusisizwe Secondary 63.4%
• Waveren Hoërskool 68.4%
• Wellington Secondary 83.8%
• Weltevrede Sekondêre 71.7%
• Wolseley Sekondêre 81.7%
• Worcester Sekondêre 72.9%
• Worcester Gimnasium 97.8%