Media Release. 26 August 2010. Mossel Bay Tourism.

Mossel Bay Tourism Upset Over Closure of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe

Mossel Bay Tourism has expressed deep disappointment over Transnet’s decision to close the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe.

The closure was announced in a statement released by Mboniso Sigonyela (Transnet’s External Communications Manager for Group Corporate and Public Affairs) on the 24th of August: “In 2007, Transnet Limited identified the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train service operating between George and Mossel Bay as one of its non-core assets. Following extensive studies and stakeholder consultation, the company decided to follow an open tender process to find a new operator for the service.

“Unfortunately, this process could not identify a new operator and as a result, Transnet was left with no option other than to terminate the service subject to the required approval by the Minister of Public Enterprises in terms on the Public Finance Management Act – this has since been finalised. The Outeniqua Transport Museum in George will remain open to the public.”

“As Africa’s last remaining scheduled steam train, the Choo Tjoe became an icon of the tourism industry in South Africa,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s chairman, Neels Zietsman.

“It ranked amongst the greatest of the attractions in the Southern Cape. Just a few years ago it was carrying as many as 115,000 passengers per annum – most of whom were foreign tourists – and it was definitely recognised as one of the things that made the Garden Route unique.”

He said that this was the reason Mossel Bay Tourism had fought so hard to establish the George-Mossel Bay service after the floods of 2006 heavily damaged the George-Knysna line, and caused the suspension of the George-Knysna service.

“It was imperative that steam should be preserved in the Garden Route, and we put a lot of our own funds into doing so,” said Mr. Zietsman.

“From the start, we couldn’t help feeling that Transnet showed a lack of interest in keeping the Choo Tjoe on track – and we now feel that they’re making it almost impossible for it to have any future,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm.

“Besides closing down the train itself, we understand that they’re also closing the steam maintenance facility at the Voorbaai Yards – which is the last steam maintenance facility in the public domain in South Africa.

“This will mean a serious loss of skills – and the all-important training that’s always been done there will also be gone.

“We know that the Minister of Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism in the Western Cape, Alan Winde, is in favour of re-opening the George-Knysna line – but how can you run a steam schedule without a maintenance facility?” (Minster Winde also released a statement on the 24th of August, in which he said, “I remain resolute in my commitment to reviving [the Choo Tjoe] and ensuring that it remains a vital part of the South Cape’s heritage and tourism offering.”)

Mr. Zietsman said that Mossel Bay Tourism would consider supporting well-planned and appropriate unsolicited bids for the re-opening of a steam service in the region.

“It’s not just about Mossel Bay: the Garden Route has some of the most scenic lines in the world, and it could still become tourism’s steam-central,” he said.

ENDS

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