The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is planning to protest in front of the offices of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) on Wednesday against a "public transport crisis" in the Western Cape.
The union, with the support of the SACP and other progressive forces, is demanding a response from PRASA over a list of demands handed over in February.
Among the demands were for the price of train tickets to be cut by 50%, increased security to be deployed on trains and at stations, and that essential lines into the Cape Town CBD be made fully operational.
"Cosatu had been involved in negotiations with the government for more than 10 years to improve the rail services and very little has been done so far," the union said.
They added: "Cosatu demands urgent action by the government to fix the train and transport system in the Western Cape. We are tired of bad services and [we] call for proper management of the train service at a political and administrative level."
Cosatu Western Cape secretary Malvern de Bruyn said the union is demanding that a senior official address the protesters and provide an update on what is being done to meet its demands.
"We want a proper railway system that is reliable. The central line has not been operating for five years, and the lines from Bellville and Fish Hoek are only in partial operation. Our workers are forced to use taxis, which are expensive and not always safe. Others are forced to use their own cars and spend hours in traffic because there is no other option," he said.
"They must respond to us. We've only seen talk, talk, talk. We don't see tangible changes to the system, and there is no will to deal with issues effectively."
The central line was closed in 2019 due to theft and vandalism, forcing hundreds of thousands of train commuters to find alternative modes of transport. Restoration of services on the central line is expected in phases. Sections of the line were reopened in July.
PRASA spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said: "PRASA notes Cosatu Western Cape's planned march to our premises over demands not met. While it is within Cosatu's right to march on issues affecting South Africans, we would like to categorically state that some of the issues raised by the [union] have been addressed and continue to be addressed."
She added that services have resumed on certain sections of the central line, between Cape Town and Langa via Pinelands, and between Langa and Belville via Sarepta.
"We will further engage with Cosatu Western Cape at an appropriate forum," said Makanda.
Meanwhile, City of Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, said they are aware of numerous notices doing the rounds on social media, referring to a national shutdown planned for today.
"Currently, we can confirm receipt of two planned demonstrations [Wednesday]: A picket by Cosatu for 100 participants outside the PRASA building in the CBD, and a march by Saftu (South African Federation of Trade Unions) at 10:00, starting from Hanover Street in the CBD, and proceeding to the Civic Centre, provincial legislature and Parliament, with 1 000 participants.
"SAPS is the lead agency on matters relating to public order policing, but the city's enforcement services will deploy in support of SAPS, and manage road closures and traffic impacts as the procession moves through the CBD," he said.
Smith appealed to the organisers of the demonstrations to ensure that their members adhere to the conditions set out, and to ensure that proceedings are peaceful.
"While some of the issues referenced in these shutdown notices are legitimate, the approach of creating blockades and disruptions harms the most vulnerable communities and does not contribute to addressing the problems being referenced as the cause of the protest," he said.