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Big plans ahead as Kei Rail project becomes a real
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Date: 2008/03/16 07:40
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By: admin
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Status: Admin
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Admin
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Big plans ahead as Kei Railway project becomes a reality in Eastern Province Herald (3 March 2008)
Sipho Masondo HERALD REPORTER
THE long-overdue Kei Rail passenger service was launched in Mthatha on Saturday when the first scheduled train, with three coaches, made its maiden trip after an absence of 20 years.
The launch ceremony was held at the Mthatha station and was attended by more than 500 people, with dignitaries including Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, his director general Lucky Montana, Eastern Cape Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo, and other transport officials.
The train service will link sea, air and road transport, and is aimed at improving the integrated public transport system as well as boosting economic development through advancing the provincial growth and development plan.
Mhlahlo said: Today we are witnessing the return of our people back to rail, which is a safe, reliable and affordable public transport mode. We all agree that the start of the service has been long overdue.
The Kei Rail, which was built in the 1900s, meanders through mountains and rivers for 281km, linking Transkei and East London. The passenger service was closed in 1988, and the freight service followed in 2003.
The whole project to reintroduce the trains cost the provincial government R120-million, and was delivered in four phases.
Phase one: a preliminary assessment to reactivate the rail services.
Phase two: a detailed feasibility study to determine the viability of the service.
Phase three: design, refurbishment and extensive maintenance work on the line.
Phase four: finding economic initiatives to ensure its sustainability.
Initially the passenger service will run as a day-time service between East London and Mthatha. It will stop at Amabhele, Komga, Butterworth and Dutywa.
If demand is strong from a particular area where there is no station, Kei Rail may well erect temporary stations. The service will also be integrated with other modes of transport to allow better service delivery for people in rural communities, Mhlahlo said.
As time goes on the train will offer daily services, and Mhlahlo said 17 more coaches would be added to the current three. The coaches will total 20, with economy, business, first and second class.
But more than anything, he said the rail would be used extensively as a freight service to ease congestion on the provinces roads.
Our main targets include timber, cement, fuel and agricultural projects. We will build a timber processing plant at the Mthatha station and the Ugie-Langeni road we are currently building will facilitate the moving of timber from Ugie to the factory in Mthatha.
It is against the backdrop of stimulating regional economy that the Kei Development Corridor was formed.
It will identify the general economic development potential along the hinterland serviced by the Kei Rail.
It is estimated that 20000 jobs will be created through direct and indirect involvement with the Kei Rail, Mhlahlo said.
His office, he said, was also on track for the revival of the East London, King Williams Town and Alice services as well as the use of the Apple Express as a passenger service for rural communities like Patensie and Humansdorp.
On the cards was also a rail centre of excellence, which Mhlahlo said would be responsible for skilling drivers, conductors, maintenance staff, track masters and engineers.
Radebe said similar projects to resuscitate rail to breath life to small towns were under way in KwaZulu Natal, North West, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga.
He said the line would be able to carry about 1,4 million tons of timber in one year.
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