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Kei Rail launch part of beefing up rail services
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Date: 2009/02/20 08:01
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By: admin
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Status: Admin
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Admin
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Kei Rail launch part of beefing up rail services
including Port Elizabeth to East London via Grahamstown & Alice
The Herald Article 20 Feb 2009
THE Eastern Cape government is considering a rail link between Port Elizabeth and East London via Grahamstown and Alice, Roads and Transport MEC Gloria Barry said at the launch of the new Kei Rail coaches yesterday.
The coaches have been bought ahead of the launch of the Kei Rail daily service on March 1, which will be linked with the Shosholoza Meyl Service between Johannesburg and East London.
Barry said the 10-year rail plan aimed to make rail services in the province viable, especially to rural areas, through collaboration with various stakeholders, including local government and the private sector.
“Our goal is to identify areas in which the provincial government should be involved to ensure that rail transport occupies its rightful space in the overall transport environment of the Eastern Cape and supports the provincial growth and development plan.”
The government had noted the increase in freight transport, and public and private passenger vehicles on the roads, causing congestion around cities and damage to roads.
“The budget for roads infrastructure in the province is insufficient to deal with this pressure.
“The situation necessitates government and its social partners considering rail as an option to save the declining road infrastructure and improve our public transport system by providing a safe, reliable and affordable service.”
As a result, she said, “we are considering new connections between Tarkastad and Cradock to serve Indwe to Coega, Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City via Grahamstown and Alice because it is expensive along the coast – this will link with Mthatha through the Kei Rail line – and Buffalo City to Mthatha via a new link to Butterworth”.
Barr said Kei Rail had already had a socio-economic impact, particularly on job creation and poverty alleviation, with the creation of 424 jobs, including youths 258, women 99 and the disabled 4,.
It was also a bonus for SMME contractors who had collected R21,9-million of the R43-million paid to contractors.
Barry said to ensure safety and protect the coaches from vandalism, the department had an agreement with the police railway unit to accompany the train at all times. They will have permanent police stations at AmaBhele and Mthatha.
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