East London/Mthatha service wins best rail passenger operator in Africa award.

The Eastern Cape's R117 million Kei Rail project has scooped two awards at the Africa Rail Conference's awards ceremony held in Johannesburg. The project was announced as the Best Rail Passenger Operator in Africa with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa as the runner up in this category. 

The Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Transport says this is yet another indication that government's "back to rail" strategy is truly offering rural South Africans a cheaper and safer mode of transport. 

Launched in August 2003, the project links the former Ciskei and Transkei and is part of a wider plan to stimulate socio-economic development in the province. It has offered commuters from between East London and Mthatha a safer and cheaper mode of transport. 

Ncedo Kumbaca from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson says the Kei Rail Project has always been a shining example of the Back to Rail strategy. Government says the revival of the Kei Rail line, which has been dormant for years, has since its inception transported more than 125,000 passengers, an average of 12,000 passengers per month. 

In the last financial year, 370 employment opportunities have been created through activities such as track maintenance, train operations, train traffic management and other general maintenance of coaches and station buildings.