Kei Rail link to open

A PARTNERSHIP between provincial government and
business is driving the reopening of the 281 km East
London – Mthatha rail link.
The R300-million Kei Rail project is driven by
the provincial government to put traffic back on the
track, which was closed in 1988.
Port Elizabeth-based Sheltam Grindrod is assisting
with the training of drivers, the supply of locomotives
and the management of a section of the railway line.
The re-opening of a railway line which has been
out of operation for a number of years brings with
it a number of challenges, says Sheltam group
operations manager Etienne Raath.
“We had to identify every risk and mitigate it,”
he says.
Risks included the physical state of the line and
ongoing maintenance, driver training and a public
awareness campaign.