The Dutch Rail delegation will be taken to various railway projects in the province, including the Kei Rail line between East London and Mthatha.
Transport MEC Thobile Mhlahlo said the focus of the fact-finding mission was on passenger train transport and to increase the amount of freight transported by rail in the Eastern Cape. “During the visit we will look at strategies for train tourism on all the branch lines in the province. The lines we will focus on will be those without freight possibilities but with beautiful environment and tourism attractions.
“Our rail strategy is now being realised and we want to start seeing train services running. There is a lot of pressure for rail transport, especially from tourists visiting the province,” he said.
Mhlahlo said the delegation would test the department’s rail policy framework, advise on the best options for private rail operators and fast-track these plans. They are expected to draw up a strategic review report, after which the department would decide its plan of action, Mhlahlo said.
The specific projects under review include rail access to the East London harbour, and incorporating the Fort Jackson to East London route into other public transport modes for Mdantsane passengers.
Railway lines in the Port Elizabeth area include the Alicedale to Grahamstown line, and the Apple Express between Port Elizabeth and the Gamtoos valley.
“We want to approach the operation of the lines differently from the traditional way by introducing private operators,” Mhlahlo said.
The delegation comprises Dutch Rail’s director of business development Tjip Sietsma, Dutch Rail’s project consultant Joost de Waal and Jan Swier from Pro Rail. They arrived in the province last Sunday.
The department’s chief director of rail, Nkululeko Poya, said Dutch Rail had managed to introduce smaller operators on its lines which are providing a profitable service.
De Waal said private operators in the Netherlands owned their own rolling stock, but paid a fee for using infrastructure like stations, rail lines and electricity.
Poya said most of the lines were not electrified and diesel locomotives would have to be used.
“There are presently no wagons and locomotives in South Africa that we can dust off and use. It will have to be sourced elsewhere and the delegation will assist us in the different options available for finding locomotives.”