Kei rail to create over 29,000 jobs

“About R133 million has been invested in this project with as many as 29,000 job opportunities to be created in the long term,” Minister Radebe said at the start of the operating services on Sunday, 2 March 2008.

It has been projected that Kei Rail will transport 1.4 million metric tonnes of timber a year from the Ugie, Langeni and the Nyibeni areas for the next 30 years which will create thousands of jobs, particularly with the construction of the timber mill.

At just R30 a one way trip, the service will initially be a weekend service which will operate during the day.

Tickets are available for sale at the East London, Amabele, Komga, Butterworth and Mthatha stations two hours before the train leaves.

Linking the Eastern Cape

Launched in August 2003, the R117 million project will link the former Ciskei and Transkei, as part of a wider plan to stimulate socio-economic development in the Border Kei region.

It is expected to lay a firm foundation for future economic expansion in the impoverished eastern areas of the province.

“We strongly believe that this project will boost passenger and cargo services within the Eastern Cape Province and will also stimulate tourism growth – and prove once again that rail transportation is a mass mover of our people and a backbone of our economic growth,” Minister Radebe said.

He said the project will revitalise eight lines running from the province to KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Free State and the Northern and Eastern Cape.

"The project will stimulate economic activities where transport constraints and market access are the primary barriers to the sustainability and viability of businesses."

Adding to that it will also provide an improved transport option for existing economic activities and thereby allowing for increased profit and sustainability.

Minister Radebe reminded the public that “the success of the project will also depend on local communities who must treat Kei Rail with dignity and pride”.

Safety on the line

The new Eastern Cape Railway Police was also deployed on the Kei Rail line to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

Passengers would initially be transported by bus between the East London and Amabele stations.

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 is far from the station - to make it easier for them to reach their final destinations.

Logical logistics

In striking to balance the road and rail transport, the department is implementing the National Freight Logistics Strategy.

It seeks among other things to integrate first and second economies, as well as supporting the integration of marginalised local economies with the main logistics corridors.

“Our key objective is to reduce the costs of doing business and removing inefficiencies and reducing the impediments that the logistics system has placed on businesses and their long-term sustainability.

“Through these interventions we are also attempting to improve the living conditions of those isolated by geographic locations from the mainstream economies,” said the minister.

The department has also embarked on an initiative to revitalise the branch-lines across the country particularly within the small towns as a way of activating the economic potential in remote areas.

The department has identified seven other of branch-lines to be revived. These are the KwaZulu-Natal midlands timber cluster; Nkwalini line; Eastern Free State maize cluster; Belmont to Douglas; Krugersdorp to Ramatlabama; De Aar to Nakop; and the Natal South Coast.

The basis for choosing these lines, Minister Radebe said was on their social and economic significance in the areas where they pass.

“As a result, our intervention is already breathing life to small towns that were otherwise neglected - thus opening up access to social and economic opportunities.

“We therefore strongly believe that the refurbishment of branch-lines will help boost the economic participation of small communities,” said Minister Radebe.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews