Most of us say the bad state of affairs at Metrorail has gone on for so long that it’s boring.
So should we stop reporting problems with our biggest mode of transport?
Not a chance!
We should keep on until their house is in order.
We shouldn’t tire of reporting anything bad, especially when innocent people’s lives are at risk and government resources are being misused or mismanaged.
Recently, it came to light that train commuters are killed due to overcrowding or because they fall off moving trains. Yet the rail organisation fails to inform people about these incidents.
Though it might be trying to protect its reputation and shying away from embarrassment, commuters suffer.
This is like banning journalists from reporting bad behaviour at violent protests.
The organisation could be trying to prevent foreigners or anyone outside the company seeing them in a bad light.
But it’s important for people to know about these incidents because it shames the organisation.
Revealing the facts will force its people to work harder and try to improve the situation.
The more people know about commuters dying on trains, the better.
Issues include robbery through lack of security, irregular running times, causing commuters to lose jobs because of latecoming and worse, commuters dying in collisions because of incompetent drivers or operators.
It is not too late.
We can do better.
Mamatonyane Maila, Pretoria