George Railway Station deteriorates

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GEORGE NEWS - The state of neglect of the George Railway Station is being bemoaned by local railway enthusiasts. As far back as 2016 the George Herald has taken up this issue with Transnet but to no avail.

On the website of the Friends of the Rail Forum, the formerly gracious building is described as being "forlorn".

In its heyday when George was still a thriving timber industry the station played a pivotal role. Local attorney Salome van Wyk remembers it as a thriving and bustling place from where her mother ran a restaurant and later a kiosk.

Today the luxury railway company Rovos Rail uses the station from time to time, but high-paying passengers are greeted by smashed windows and a generally shabby appearance.

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Transnet was approached for comment a month ago as to when a maintenance team may be expected to be dispatched. This week, after being prompted again, Property Operations supervisor Alison Bhana responded saying: "The matter was referred to our head office and we are following up. As I mentioned on the phone, we do have a response, but cannot comment directly to the press. As soon as I receive a mail, I will come back to you. I apologise for the delay."

This is the unwelcoming look at the George Station that greets railway passengers at the George Station, which nowadays functions mainly as the pick-up point for Intercape buses. For the past three years, the Transnet authorities in Port Elizabeth seem to have forgotten about this building.