The first route runs along the main Cape Town–De Aar railway line to Paarl and Wellington.

Operations resumed in late 2021 with trains on the relief main line past Century City and Monte Vista terminating at Kraaifontein.

[2] Other trains branch south-east after Bellville, passing through Kuils River to Eerste River; From there, some turn north to pass through Stellenbosch and terminate at Muldersvlei station on the main line, while others continue south-east through Somerset West along the line towards Caledon.

Shortly after Somerset West they branch from this line to terminate at Strand on the False Bay coast.

The line is made up of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) track, electrified with 3,000 V DC overhead catenary; most of the routes are at least double track, except for the Strand and Stellenbosch lines beyond Eerste River.