Fully Booked

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

We (Our Family) Intend going to Sun City for the September School holidays. Our intention was to take the Shoz Meyl Tourist class from CT to JHB and fly back. I phoned to book today (Thursday). The Reservations informed me that both the Wednesday the 23rd and Friday the 25th are fully booked. It is still six weeks to go and the train is full. No one can tell me if they intend running extra trains over that period. Is there anyone out there that can help inform me of extra Tourist trains.
Many Thanks

[Luca Lategan]

When I wanted to book for a school related trip last year they couldn't even say to me a week beforehand whether there would be additional trains or not, I wouldn't hold my breath, but seeing as it is during a holiday period, things might be different.

Somehow I lost his number, but phone Mr. Karel Krause at Shosholoza.

Julle is welkom om hier by my 'n draai te kom maak...

[Nathan Berelowitz]

I made contact with an old friend who worked at Shoshmeyel etc for many years dealing with Lux Rail and Blue Train etc. She has her own business now and I am sure will be able to help you out. Her name is Santi Bekker and you can email her at info@satravelbookings.co.za. Feel free to mention my name, she is a super person and knows the intimate workings of this mysterious organisation!!!

[John Ashworth]

From the point of view of individuals who wish to travel, it's unfortunate that the train is fully booked and that no information is available about extra trains. However it's a good sign for the future of PRASA that passenger train travel is so popular.

[Adelbert Stigling]

Now that there are so few trains running it is better to book three months in advance to avoid disappointment.
It is unbelievable that they can't just keep the particulars of all people that apply for a booking when the trains are full so that they can easily see when a special train should be arranged, with the modern technology it should be no mean feat, it was managed in the days every thing was done by pen on paper, and now ....not with the computer... hilarious

[Steve Appleton]

I spoke to Santie yesterday on a different matter. On asking how her business was doing she told me that it was going very well on the back of the chaotic SM bookings system. Apparently so many people are becoming so frustrated in dealing with the SM reservations service that her business is booming.
Her company is called SA Travel Booking CC and the website is at: http://www.satravelbooking.co.za/

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

Thank you Nathan and John I will definitely contact her. I spoke to Derick Matwhatwe's secretary this morning.( He is one of the Senior Shoz Managers) She told me that sometimes they add extra coaches onto the train if it is not at its maximum length. She told me that 12 Passenger coaches is the most that on train can pull. If I included the Diner, Kitchen, Guards Van and Car Carrier that makes 16. I know that they can have up to a total of 19 coaches. I will Reservations on Monday but I will also try your lady. Otherwise it will be a boring two hours with Kulula.com.

[Stefan Andrzejewski]

My sad tale has a happy ending. An old banking client of mine is the fleet Manager for Shoz Meyl here in Culemborg Cape Town. I tracked him down, and he said he would see what he could do. This morning he phoned to tell me there was a cancellation for the 23th Sept. So we are on. There seems to be an increase in rail passengers generally. On a Mondays Cape Town has eight Passenger train movements. It averages 5 or 6 per day. With the bus accident death rate I think that more passengers are seeing the light where it comes to traveling by train. I look forward to starting my holiday on platform 24 ,12h30 23 Sept. I also hope to visit FOTR on the 25th.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

Great, look forward to seeing you.