Passenger train unit Shosholoza Meyl is looking at new ways to revitalise its underused rail network in the Eastern Cape.

The early 1990s saw a massive downscaling of passenger train services in the country, with Spoornet cutting the smaller, unprofitable routes and retaining only its main routes.

Since then it has emerged that some routes could become operational again as demand does exist.

Shosholoza Eastern and Southern Cape customer services manager Fanie Muller said a five-year plan was being drawn up to assess which lines could turn profitable by the end of this period.

“Passenger trains do not easily turn a profit. This is the nature of passenger train services worldwide, which are heavily reliant on State subsidies to keep them operational,” Muller said.

Some of the Eastern Cape routes that were cut in the early 1990s, to leave only the Port Elizabeth-Johannesburg line, included services between Port Elizabeth and, respectively, Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown; East London and Cape Town; as well as the De Aar - East London service.

In November last year a group made up of Makana municipal councillors and representatives of Bushman Sands Developments met Spoornet to discuss linking the passenger train service on the Alicedale- Grahamstown-Port Alfred line with Port Elizabeth. They argued that the passenger service should be offered daily to serve the local community, tourism and migrant labourers.

Due to strong demand in October last year, Shosholoza increased its Alicedale-Grahamstown service from two trips per week to five, with a train that can take up to 80 passengers.

On January 21, Shosholoza operated its first charter train between Port Elizabeth and Alicedale golf course with the aim of attracting golfing groups.

“We decided to create a charter train service where groups can book a train for a certain date. That way we are assured the train runs profitably,” Muller said. He said a train with six coaches (up to 200 passengers) will cost Shosholoza R17 000 for a return trip on this route. It was important that the train should be fully booked.

If such a route proved popular, he said, it could well be turned into a regular service at the end of the five-year period.

Shosholoza senior administrator James Strydom is researching demand for charter train services further afield.
“I visit schools and sports clubs and offer the service to their teams and spectators for away games. So far the response has been positive,” Strydom said.

Shosholoza is leaving Transnet’s umbrella to join MetroRail under the department of transport. The process is expected to be completed this year.

“Shosholoza as a passenger service is not part of Spoornet’s core business of freight transport,” Muller, said.

He said the train service would have easier access to government subsidies.