A passenger rail service between East London and Mthatha will be inaugurated this weekend, Eastern Cape provincial transport minister Thobile Mhlahlo said on Friday.
The Kei Rail Service would start operating on Saturday, transporting 216 passengers between the two towns, he said.
The project was initiated in 1998 as a catalyst for economic development and the railway line’s refurbishment started in August 2003.
It was expected to stimulate economic activities where transport constraints and market access were the primary barriers to sustainable business. It would also provide an improved transport option for local communities.
Kei Rail forms part of the Kei Development Corridor, which seeks to increase investment and economic development in the area and along the railway line.
”When we transport the first train passenger between East London and Mthatha in 20 years, it will be a proud moment for me and for the department of roads and transport,” Mhlahlo said.
”Although we are launching only passenger train services now, cargo freight services will be launched soon,” he said.
The new Eastern Cape railway police unit would be deployed on the Kei Rail line to ensure the safety and security of passengers.
Passengers would initially be transported by bus between East London and Amabele station.
In addition, there would be a bus service between King William’s Town and Amabele for Kei Rail ticket holders.
Once passengers reached their desired station, they would be transported to the nearest public transport pick-up point — if it was far from the station — to make it easier for them to reach their final destinations. – Sapa