• PRASA and the City of Johannesburg launched several improvements to the Ellis Park stadium and transport routes ahead of the Springboks match this weekend.
• These include new lighting, improved security and renovations to the PRASA metrorail.
• Users have lauded the improvements in the trip to and from the stadium this weekend.

Ahead of the highly anticipated Springboks versus All Blacks rugby game on Saturday, commuters on the newly renovated rails to and from the Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg, formerly known as Ellis Park, shared their experiences on social media and for the most part, they were highly positive.

While the Springboks were victorious in the edge-of-your-seat nailbiter, perhaps the biggest winner was the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), which had offered free passage to the Park Station near the stadium for via the Gautrain and the blue PRASA Metrorail electric trains.

“We took the Gautrain from Hatfield to Parkstation, then took the free PRASA train to Ellis Park Stadium, and wow! This was a seamless and well organised event!” said one matchgoer on social media.

“Places were clean, friendly staff, police presence. Joburg felt like a world class African city.”

Another traveller on the day, News24 assistant editor Pieter Du Toit, shared that the PRASA Metrorail kept its times well on the busy day.

“World class: left Ellis Park at 20:29 on the PRASA train to Park Station; took Gautrain shortly after, left Sandton station just after 21:00, rewatching Springboks vs. All Blacks at 21:20,” he said.

“I must say, it was an awesome experience. Everything was clean, safe and on time. Well done!” shared another passenger.

It was no accident that the PRASA rail and the route to the stadium itself was prepared for the crowds, especially of international travellers on match day. The government of Johannesburg has been coordinating with national government to prepare for the event for some time.

In late August, former Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda was meeting with Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and other officials to discuss the state of readiness of the stadium and public infrastructure.

Gwamanda shares some of what the local government has been working on ahead of the match, including accelerating service delivery in the area around the stadium, a known crime hotspot, in anticipation of an upcoming spate of sporting events.

PRASA has also seen the installation of new street lighting and station lighting, as well as a high police force visibility for stadium-goers.

Some users on X suggest that the stadium, rails and surrounding areas were only prepared and renovated for the match between the Springboks and the All Blacks, and now following the match the security in place and service delivery will become non-existent.

PRASA claims that the improvements will continue for all travellers, not just those going to matches at Ellis Park Stadium.

[Image – PRASA Group on X]