Financial backing supports ‘Back to Rail’ strategy

THE EASTERN Cape Department of Roads and Transport has invested around R160m in reviving the railway, and is the sole shareholder in Kei Rail. Some 40% of the Eastern Cape's population lives to the north of the Great Kei, and this region is becoming increasingly important for economic development. The department’s chief director Nkululeko Poya says rail is a key element in the Kei Development Corridor initiative. “We need to provide a cheaper movement of goods into the former Transkei and a passenger service to give people affordable and safe transport.” This initiative forms part of the Eastern Cape's "Back to Rail" strategy, which seeks to revitalise the dormant rail infrastructure in the province and simultaneously transform the rail sector. The department has also approved a business plan worth R5.3 million for the opening of the Rail Centre of Excellence at the Walter Sisulu University in partnership with various engineering departments from Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges and rail sector stakeholders. The university is currently finalising the allocation of a building for this centre, while the department is starting the process of recruiting people to run the centre before its opening in January 2009.