NVDL: Have a look at the story below from SABC news. The mob turned its anger onto the infrastructure and ruined it for at least 6 months. It's not unreasonable to expect this to become a trend in our not-so-civilised African country. That said, if one experienced fuel shortages - here or in Yeehawland - expect more of the same.
Thousands stranded due to torched trains
January 21, 2008, 17:00Commuters were stranded today in Tshwane after the burning of Metrorail coaches on Friday night during a power failure.
The Commuter Corporation suspended the train service to the corridor for the next six months, saying if people burn trains they will receive no service.
The Mabopane-Pretoria and the De Welt-Pretoria lines will be closed for up to six months for repairs. Between 40 000 and 50 000 people use those lines on a daily basis. Commuters were left with only buses and taxis to ferry them to work.
The cost of this is double the price of a train trip. Many have already bought monthly tickets, and have not budgeted for additional travel expenses.
Reward offered for offenders
The Commuter Corporation and the Tshwane Metro Council are working on a battle plan to help commuters.
"The establishment of the joint task team, which will start to look at operational issues, will be able to identify other modes of public transport which could be used while this crisis is ongoing," says Pule Mabe, from Metrorail.
It will cost approximately R2.5 million to restore damaged lines and R150 million to replace the rolling stock.
Metrorail is offering a R100 000 reward for information on those responsible for burning the coaches. Police have opened a case of malicious damage to property.
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