LOOK: Kapteinsklip rail line reopens after six-year closure

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Passenger rail services have returned to the Mitchell’s Plain corridor as PRASA Western Cape officially reopened the Kapteinsklip Line today, 23 February 2026.

 

The reopening restores train services to commuters for the first time since 2020, when operations were suspended due to widespread vandalism and infrastructure damage across the rail network.

 

The reinstated limited service will operate between four stations:

 

  • Philippi
  • Lentegeur
  • Mitchell’s Plain
  • Kapteinsklip

 

A shuttle service will run between Kapteinsklip and Philippi, where passengers can transfer to other routes.

 

PRASA says the reopening marks the final phase in restoring the Central Line, a key public transport route serving thousands of daily commuters in the Cape Town metro. The return of rail services is also expected to help ease congestion on other forms of public transport.

 

Extensive rehabilitation work included track repairs, signalling restoration, upgrades to stations and commuter facilities, and safety testing. Successful trial runs were completed in December 2025 ahead of the line’s return to operation.

 

Updated train timetables are available on PRASA Western Cape’s official social media platforms.

 

Liesl Smit
Liesl Smit
Liesl is the Smile 90.4FM News Manager. She has been at Smile since 2016, with nearly 20 years experience in the radio industry, including reading news, field reporting and producing. In 2008 she won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award, Western Cape region. liesl@smile904.fm

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