4 June 2007
Tomorrow, Tuesday, 5 June 2007, marks the start of a practical Train
Drivers' Training Programme on the Kei rail line in preparation for a rail
passenger service between East London and Mthatha. East London to Amabele, two
days per driver equals eight days. Amabele to Mthatha, three days per
driver/one driver only two days equals 11 days.
Programme:
Tuesday, 5 June 2007 to Thursday, 14 June 2007: Cambridge to Amabele
Friday, 15 June 2007 to Friday, 29 June 2007: Amabele to Mthatha
Total: 19 days.
This initiative forms part of our "Back to Rail" Strategy and the
preparations for the introduction of the Kei Rail Passenger Service between
these two towns, which is expected to commence before the end of July 2007.
Already four train drivers have received a "refresher course" in Pretoria using
simulators and will now start driving locomotives on the line. This extensive
training programme is informed by the fact that the Kei Rail line is one of the
toughest railway lines to navigate and we need to ensure that drivers are
competent and comfortable with the terrain and the line before they begin
driving on the tracks.
The Department of Roads and Transport is currently involved in a Rail Safety
Awareness Campaign, because services on this line have not been active for many
years and it is, therefore, imperative that a campaign of this magnitude be
implemented to ensure that communities living along the line are safe.
The objectives of this safety awareness campaign are:
* to raise awareness that there will be trains running on the line before the
service begins
* to inform communities along the line of the dangers associated with an
operational railway line, particularly children
* to create awareness of safe rail behaviour in the communities along the
line
* To encourage communities to ensure that their livestock is kept away from the
tracks
* to raise awareness of the role of flagmen at level crossings.
The campaign includes a poster campaign, radio and newspaper advertising,
informative pamphlets, school and community outreach activities.
For enquiries contact:
Ncedo Kumbaca
Cell: 082 44 22 388/073 2066 569
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape Provincial
Government
4 June 2007
