- The Mowbray Station subway was flooded for weeks, causing major disruptions for local commuters and raising health and safety concerns.
- The stagnant water created dangerous conditions, forcing commuters to take alternate routes and risking crossing railway tracks to reach trains on time.
- Local businesses also reported losses due to the foul-smelling water driving customers away.
The Mowbray Station subway has been submerged under water for several weeks, causing major disruptions for commuters and raising health and safety concerns in the area.
The flooding, which reached street level, not only forced local commuters to change their daily routines, but also posed a serious risk to locals.
However, the water was drained a few days after People’s Post visited the area and contacted the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
According to residents, the subway had been flooded for weeks.
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An irate resident wrote to the People’s Post complaining about the facility comparing it to the aquarium. “The subways in our area are vital in linking the Rosebank and Mowbray communities across the railway line together and for the many commuters who walk and use public transport. We reached out to Prasa pre-Covid with an art project to beautify the subway specifically at Mowbray station as inspired by similar projects in Observatory,” wrote an agry resident.
“We understood that Prasa was responsible for that subway and we asked for the lights to be fixed as a necessary first step to a bigger creative project.
On Wedneseday last week, People’s Post visited the area for a first-hand experience.
Submerged
The subway was still partially submerged in murky water, with a foul odour hanging in the air. The stagnant water created a hazardous environment for commuters and the entire surrounding area.
Ward councillor Yusuf Mohamed said: “A task team has been formed to address the flooding and resolve challenges with the Passenger Transport Information (PTI) system. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has attributed the flooding to cable theft and vandalism, which have caused the failure of the subway’s water pumps.”
However, despite the task team’s formation, the issue remains unresolved.
Commuters are frustrated with the dangerous conditions. “We have to walk on the bridge to get to the trains now and cross the dangerous railway to get to the platform, and don’t always make it on time,” said regular commuter, Thembela Londzi. “We have to risk it, but one day someone is going to get seriously hurt.”
Business owners near the subway have also been affected, with some reporting significant losses due to the flooding.
“This flooding has driven customers away,” said a shopkeeper near the subway. “We’ve been dealing with the smell and stagnant water for weeks now. It’s not only bad for business, but also a serious health hazard.”
People’s Post reached out to Prasa. At the time of going to print they had not responded.
On 16 September, a reader told People’s Postthe subway was fixed.
