Metrorail Durban
The Metrorail Durban (also Metrorail KwaZulu-Natal ) is a S-Bahn -like regional transport system that connects Durban with numerous surrounding places in the metropolitan area eThekwini . It is operated by PRASA , which operates three other Metrorail networks in South Africa .
General
The routes have the Cape gauge common in South Africa . They are electrified and are driven on by Class 5M2 and Class 10M vehicles. The network has 99 stations and stops, which are served by a total of 7 lines. It has a length of about 255 kilometers. Almost all trains go to the central train station ( Durban Station ) and many end or start there. The long extension of the two coastlines in the north and south is characteristic. In total, about 142 kilometers of the Metrorail network run along the coast of the Indian Ocean .
The history of passenger commuter rail services in what is now South Africa began on June 26, 1860 in Durban, when a 3.2 kilometer line was opened between Market Square and Customs Point . According to the accounts of its first station master, George Russell, the line carried more than 800 people on the first day.
The lines
The overlapping of numerous lines on the main route from Durban Station in a southerly direction creates a relatively high train density there.
The stations on the main route from north to south are:
- Durban Station - Berea Road - Dalbridge - Congella - Umbilo - Rossburgh (junction of the Old Main Line , New Main Line and further south) .
Old Main Line
The Old Main Line ("Alte Hauptlinie") connects the main train station with the western suburb of Pinetown . The stations out of town are:
Stations of the main route :
- Sea View - Bellair - Hillary - Poet's Corner - Malvern - Escombe - Northdene - Moseley - Glen Park - Sarnia - Pinetown.
New Main Line
This line ("New Main Line") operates the only long-distance route in the Durban area, which leads via Germiston in the direction of Johannesburg . It ends in Cato Ridge , an important South African heavy industry location , roughly halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg . The stations out of town are:
Stations of the main route :
- Mount Vernon - Cavendish - Burlington - Shallcross - Klaarwater - Mariannhill - Thornwood - Situndu Hills - Dassenhoek - KwaNdengezi - Delville Wood - Nshongweni - Cliffdale - Hammarsdale - KwaTandaza - Georgedale - Cato Ridge.
Chatsworth Line
This line connects the western town of Chatsworth with Durban Station . The stations out of town are:
Stations of the main route :
- Clairwood - Montclair - Merebank - Havenside - Bayview - Westcliff - Chatsglenn - Crossmoor.
Southern Coast Line
The southern coastline connects Durban Station via the trunk line and numerous coastal towns (including Amanzimtoti ) finally with Kelso , near Pennigton , about 70 kilometers from the city center of Durban. The stations out of town are:
Stations of the main route :
- Clairwood - Montclair - Merebank - Reunion - Pelgrim - .Isipingo - Umbogintwini - Pahla - Amanzimtoti - Doonside - Warner Beach - Winklespruit - Illovo Beach - Karridene - Umgababa - Ilfracombe - Umkomaas - Claustal - Renishaw - Scottburgh - Park Rynie -.
Northern Coast Line
The northern coastline finally connects Durban Station via numerous coastal towns (including Phoenix , Verulam and Tongaat ) with KwaDukuza , around 70 km from Durban city center. The stations out of town are:
- Berea Road (trunk route) - Durban Station (trunk route) - Umgeni - Brionene - Greenwood Park - Red Hill - Avoca - Duff's Road - Phoenix - Mount Edgecombe - Ottawa - Verulam - Nyaninga - Flamingo Heights - Tongaat Central - Tongaat - Fraser - Compensation - Umhlali - Shakaskraal - Tinley Manor - Groutville - Charlottedale - Gledhow - KwaDukuza.
A few trains also run between the Umgeni and Duff's Road stations via another route with the Temple, Kenville and Effingham stations, which are regularly served by the KwaMashu - Umlazi Line .
KwaMashu - Umlazi Line
This line is the only one that connects two suburbs ( KwaMashu north and Umlazi south-west of Durban) via the trunk line . However, a few trains also end or start at the main train station. The stations from north to south are:
- KwaMashu - Tembalihle - Duff's Road - Effingham - Kenville - Temple - Umgeni - Durban Station - Berea Road - Dalbridge - Congella - Umbilo - Rossburgh - Clairwood - Montclair - Merebank - Reunion - Zwelethu - KwaMnyandu - Lindokuhle - Umlazi.
Bluff line
This line connects the port of Durban with the densely populated Umlazi and Durban station , mainly during rush hour. From Jacobs on, the line branches off in two different directions and runs on routes that are also served by other lines. The stations coming from the port are:
- Wests - Island View - Fynnland - King's Rest - Wentworth - Jacobs (two-way turn)
- Clairwood - Rossburgh - Umbilo - Congella - Dalbridge - Berea Road - Durban Station
- Montclair - Merebank - Reunion - Zwelethu - KwaMnyandu - Lindokuhle - Umlazi.
Web links
- Metrorail. on www.metrorail.co.za (English)