Cape Town's R9 Train Journey: A Claustrophobic Ride
- Commuters in Cape Town crammed into a train carriage, reminiscent of overcrowded conditions from the apartheid era.
- The train was packed with sweaty passengers eager to get home after a long, exhausting workday.
- Social media users were shocked by the congestion and weighed in with their reactions in a lively thread of comments.
After a lengthy hiatus, Cape Town's Metrorail service has made a triumphant return, and loyal commuters are flocking back in droves, leaving buses and taxis behind. The reasons are simple: cost and convenience.
For many working South Africans, traveling by train is not just a preference—it's a necessity. With fares significantly lower than those of buses or taxis, the R9 train ticket offers a budget-friendly option for those who work five days a week. It’s no surprise that commuters are flocking back to Metrorail, despite the challenges of overcrowding.
Cape Town's R9 Train Sparks Outrage Across SA
A passenger recently documented his harrowing experience aboard an overcrowded train in Cape Town. The carriage was filled to the brim with sweaty, tired commuters desperate to get home after a grueling day of labor. Despite the discomfort, many passengers couldn't help but marvel at the affordability of the ride.
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The R9 train ticket is a steal compared to the exorbitant costs of buses and taxis, which can be three times as expensive. For commuters, the deal seemed too good to pass up. One passenger even captured the moment on video, which quickly went viral on TikTok, sparking both laughter and concern among viewers.
“R9 for a train? Wow, this thing of liking cheap things is not right.”
Lupho Njili, one of the passengers, captioned the viral post with a touch of humor and concern:
“Cape Town trains will kill us one day.”
Take a look at the viral TikTok video below to see what all the buzz is about.
Mzansi Reacts to the Overcrowded R9 Train
The video of the overcrowded R9 train sparked a wave of reactions from social media users across the country. Many shared their thoughts and experiences, highlighting the challenges of daily commutes in South Africa.
@Hue-Man369 🇿🇦 observed:
“You can actually see the steam. It’s like a human pressure cooker in there.”
@Coco ✨ added:
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“And the windows don’t open. I’m sure even the best AC system couldn’t handle that many people in one space.”
@serene.chotia drew a poignant comparison:
“This reminds me of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.’ It’s almost surreal how similar the conditions are.”
@abdulelliott shared a personal story:
“I had a claustrophobic attack in there once. It’s not something you forget easily.”
@. expressed gratitude:
“Thank God for my traveling hours. At least I don’t have to deal with that chaos.”
@Jardine suggested a solution:
“The carriages should be longer. It’s the only way to accommodate everyone safely.”
@Diana admitted her own fears:
“I would probably cry because I can’t handle small spaces like that. I need fresh air to breathe.”
More Transport Stories from Briefly News
- One man left Mzansi in stitches after attempting to repair a broken taxi door with nothing but his wits and some makeshift tools, but his efforts ultimately fell short.
- A mother was left red-faced after receiving a WhatsApp message from her son, reminding her that she had forgotten to pay for his school transport.
- A South African woman made headlines for her unconventional behavior on a FlySafair flight during the festive season, leaving the nation both baffled and entertained.
