The article by Alida de Beer would not accompany my posting yesterday because I presented it in the wrong format. I apologise for that, and want you to know that your support for this petition is mounting and the concept is gaining momentum. Thank you.
John Stegmann 15 May 2024
“A co-founder of the Cape Town Cycle Tour, John Stegmann, has initiated an online petition for the conversion of the railway line between George and Knysna into a cycleway.
Stegmann also submitted a formal proposal to Transnet in this regard in March this year. His petition on Change.org, 'Help create SA's first rail to trail cyclepath', has received almost 4 000 signatures since he launched it in April.
The line suffered severe flood damage in 2006 which brought an abrupt halt to the popular Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe trips between the two towns. Proposals to Transnet that would see private stakeholders revive the line and steam train, have to date, not been realised.
In January this year, Transnet confirmed that it was considering proposals for a concession to repair the track and run the steam train for a period of up to 25 years. Technical evaluation of the bids had been completed at the time and the governance processes were being finalised.
George Herald is awaiting the latest feedback on the status of the evaluations. Stegmann said when he put in his proposal, Transnet had not disclosed details of any legitimate proposal received, nor had it formally ruled on such proposals.
His cycleway proposal includes a separate Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steam Park to be located at Groenvlei where the public can view the steam train from up close and enjoy regular short rides. "When the train is not in operation there could be rail bikes and 'pomptrollies' for hire.”
Stegmann says the scenic 67km corridor would be a huge attraction among locals and international cyclists, hikers and runners. The Cape Town Cycle Tour has become the city's biggest annual tourism attraction with almost 30 000 participants. He says in contrast to that, not many know that Cape Town also has a steam train. “Experience has shown that stimulating bicycle activity boosts economic activity.”
The George-Knysna rail corridor could become South Africa's first rail-to-trail cycleway and could later be extended to Plettenberg Bay and eventually Gqeberha.
"It can provide an awesome car-free route for recreation, commuting and touring and it can become one of South Africa's major tourist attractions being used by 200,000 or more cyclists per year," says Stegmann.
Reopening the rail line for transporting of refuse using the Choo-Tjoe would be a “regrettable commitment". "The future demands that refuse be treated at source to reduce waste and reclaim as much as possible in the circular-economy, with the target of zero waste."
Stegmann has been an advocate for the George-to-Gqeberha trail since 1996 and has self-published a book about titled THE GREEN MACHINE.”