SINCE reopening in March, the Kei Rail railway line has created more than 300 contract jobs, through small, medium and micro enterprises that have been awarded contracts for track maintenance, catering, cleaning and the maintenance of the stations along the line.

Built in the 1900s, the Kei Rail is a 281km stretch of rail between the two Eastern Cape cities of East London and Mthatha.

The spokesperson for the provincial department of roads and transport, Ncedo Kumbaca, said that R34-million had already been spent on track maintenance contracts.

“In August the training of youth as train drivers, train control officers, track masters, welders and operations managers will commence. The department has also approved a business plan worth R3,5-million for the opening of the Rail Centre of Excellence.”

The centre will be located at Walter Sisulu University, in partnership with various engineering departments, for further education and training colleges and rail sector stakeholders.

“The university is finalising the allocation of a building for the centre, while the department is starting the process of recruiting people to run the centre before its opening in January 2009,” Kumbaca added.

Turning his attention to the success of the Kei Rail passenger service, he said it had grown, with latest trends showing that 240 passengers were transported between the two cities on Saturdays, and 260 on Sundays.

“Due to the popularity of this service and pressure of demand from commuters, the department will soon introduce a daily service for the Kei Rail line. We believe that this service will grow rapidly due to the economic climate in the country and the fuel costs.”