There is no guarantee that the Apple Express will be operational by December.

Jan-Louis Spoelstra, Senior Manager Branch Lines and Private Sector Participation in Transnet’s Freight Rail, told Tourism Update that at this stage the line where Apple Express would run was not in operation.

This comes after Apple Express CEO, Nerina Skuy, suggested the train would relaunch in December, Spoelstra pointed out that before money was invested in repairing the line, no train could operate on it.

He said the money to fix the lines could come either from the metropolitan government in Nelson Mandela Bay, from the province, from national government, or from the private sector. He further explained that Transnet would only provide funding if a freight business case could convince them to spend it.

“We’ve invited all people in the Eastern Cape to say come up with a business case for freight and, if it runs, you will find that the passenger coaches can also run,” said Spoelstra

He said Transnet had not received a business case from Apple Express. “If we can get a business case, then it may be restored.”