|
|
|
There Is Still Interest In The Choo-tjoe
|
|
Date: 2009/04/25 07:08
|
By: admin
|
Status: Admin
|
|
|
|
|
Admin
| Posts: 58 |  |
|
|
 Photo by Justin Miles
Big players waiting in the wings within the private sector would definitely be interested in getting the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe back on track. Even international businesses would like to enter into a public private partnership with Transnet to re-launch this tourist icon.
Inset: The quest continues for saving a South African tourist icon, the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe. Here it is seen in its full glory on the marvellous Kaaimans Pass railway bridge. (Photo: Pauline Lourens).
It would cost in the region of R54-m to repair the George to Knysna line, said Western Cape Minister for Economic Affairs and Tourism, Garth Strachan. He was commenting earlier in the week on the feasibility study undertaken with a view to resurrecting the service.
Speaking to the George Herald, he said there are no guarantees that Transnet will be prepared to continue to operate the service for the next six months at a monthly loss of R850 000, while an investment package is drawn up. The Minister of Public Enterprises will have the final say as Transnet is part of his portfolio.
"Unfortunately the feasibility study and public participation process took a long time," Strachan said. He added: "Should the Minister of Public Enterprises agree, a steering committee will draw up the framework of action for revitalisation and upgrading of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe."
"The proposal aims at establishing a high level team comprising delegates from national and Western Cape departments and public entities. The team will develop attractive investment opportunities based on the feasibility study. These opportunities would be marketed domestically and internationally. Strachan said he may or may not be in office by next week, it depended on the outcome of the elections. He added that he would like to believe that his successor would continue his work by putting out a tender to allow for private sector investment involvement on either the George to Mossel Bay or George to Knysna lines. The investment opportunities and the criteria - including black economic empowerment, job creation and community tourism - would be defined by the team as part of the process.
"My appeal to the national government includes a request to keep the line operating until March 31, 2010. This will allow the process to unfold and a decision to be taken by November."
* Commenting on the developments, Knysna Tourism Bureau CEO, Shaun van Eck, said: "We welcome the initiatives by Provincial Government to save the Choo-Tjoe and agree that the process should be followed as suggested by the Minister."
Article courtesy of George Herald and Garddenroute.com by Pauline Lourens
|
|
|
The administrator has disabled public write access. |
|
|
