Classic Rail/Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe's CEO, Alan McVitty:
Classic Rail and the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, the successful bidders for the concession to repair and operate the George-Knysna railway line, want to reiterate our position that the railway is reserved for train operations only.
The rail reserve is 30m either side from the centre of the line, and no cycling or hikers are allowed in this area.
This is purely a safety consideration, and falls in line with the provisions of the Rail Safety Regulator. Clearing vegetation will begin shortly.
We plan to welcome cyclists on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe when it begins operations in about a year's time, meaning that riders will be able to take the train in one direction with their bicycles on board, and cycle home in the other direction on existing paths outside the rail reserve.
• George Herald published an article on 20 November, "Not all aboard with railway concession", about the Garden Route Cycleway Association calling for an urgent review of Transnet Freight Rail's decision to award a 25-year concession for the George-Knysna railway line.
