By Nangamso Mabindla
4 March 2008

TRAVELLING between East London and Mthatha is now more affordable, following the launch of the multimillion-rand Kei Rail project in Mthatha on Saturday, 1 March.

Built in the 1900s, the 281km stretch of rail between the two Eastern Cape cities was not used for years. It has now been refurbished by the national and provincial departments of roads and transport, and is being put into service again.

Since the initial launch of the project in 2003, the government has spent R133-million on the upgrade, with 29 000 jobs to be created in the long term.

The railway line was upgraded to provide an affordable and safe form of transport between the cities. It is also believed the railway line will help to boost economic activity in Mthatha and East London and along the route.

Speaking at the launch of the passenger rail service on Saturday, Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe said he was delighted that the revitalisation of the line had achieved measurable success since its launch in 2003.

"We launched this project in August 2003, with the highlight being the refurbishment of the railway line itself and bridges. The second event was held in June 2004, to launch the Zam'kulungisa Industrial Node. [It will] be developed into an intermodal and multi-purpose facility for the handling of, among others, export/import containers and timber for both domestic and international markets," Radebe explained.

The third event related to the Kei Rail project was the start of construction of the Ugie-Langeni road linking Ugie Maclear and Hans Harenski Timber Plantation. This road would help the transport of timber products to the Zam'kulungisa Industrial Node.

"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," Radebe added.

The project would also stimulate economic activities where transport constraints and market access were primary barriers to the sustainability and viability of business.

"This line will ensure that rail transport is ready to carry the expected number of tonnes [of wood] that will be exported through East London port when the timber forests in the Ugie/Maclear and Langeni [areas] are ready for harvesting," he said.

It had been projected that for the next 30 years, about 1, 4 million metric tonnes of timber a year from the Ugie/Langeni areas would be carried by Kei Rail.

"I am, therefore, glad to note that the Rail Safety Regulator has recently granted an operating licence for this line, which indeed paves the way for the commencement of the passenger service with 20 coaches, which will run initially as a daytime service."

Tickets for the Kei Rail are available at the East London, Amabele, Komga, Butterworth and Mthatha stations, before the train departs.