Choo-tjoe Still Part Of The Plans
Lynne Brown, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism of the Western Cape Provincial Government, visited Knysna recently, with several aides, to discuss the future of the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe with Knysna's Executive Mayor Eleanor Bouw-Spies, councillors and municipal officials.
The train is the last remaining scheduled steam service in the country, and draws massive interest at the Durban Tourism Indaba, and at the tourism shows in Europe. It is an icon of tourism in the Southern Cape, and at present operates between George and Mossel Bay, while the line to Knysna is out of operation. The Voorbaai works in Mossel Bay are the only remaining steam maintenance facilities in South Africa, and steam train enthusiasts from Europe visit South Africa just to experience the last of the steam train era.
Decision by Transnet
Brown said the meeting was the culmination of work done by the mayor and her task team, who had done much work in putting together a presentation on the train and its future. It was now for Transnet, who own the property, to make a decision whether to repair the line and operate the train, or sell the property and equipment. The town and the province will work together to lobby national government, as the train has been running at a loss in the past. Several suggestions illustrating lateral thinking have apparently already been explored, with the intention of generating further income and business.
To this end a project manager is to be appointed to do a costbenefit analysis of all options, looking at their feasibility and timelines, with Transnet’s involvement. However, it must be re-looked at in view of the increasing numbers of tourists to the area and the opportunities for job creation. Brown emphasized the importance of this grouping of town and province to assist Transnet in coming to a decision for the greatest benefit to all, and to produce progress reports bi-weekly or monthly.
Disaster Funds
Asked what had become of Eden District Flood Disaster Funds allocated after the floods of 2006, Brown answered that letters had been written to the department of local government and housing, as all funding for municipalities was to go into local government and housing, and it appeared that no money was specifically allocated to repairs to the Heritage Line between George and Knysna. Further, it appeared that all the funds had already been distributed to the independent recipients.
Asked for some idea of when talk might be replaced by action, Brown replied that no timeframe was anticipated. The project manager and his or her team would have to put the timeframe together, and produce regular reports on progress. It seems that for a considerable time to come those wishing to experience the excitement of the steam age will have to travel to George for the Mossel Bay excursion.
Meanwhile the railway lines and infrastructure continue to rust, and waste-by-rail is now waste-by-road.
by Steve Eriksen
