"In a month's time there will be so much improvement at the Grahamstown Station, you won't recognise it."
"In a month's time there will be so much improvement at the Grahamstown Station, you won't recognise it."
Those were the words of a reliable source, who told Grocott's Mail on Friday 30 January that a team of workers currently cleaning up the derelict station are preparing the way for major renovations.
Grocott's Mail spoke to workers at the site, who confirmed they were Transnet employees and referred reporters to the company's regional office.
Transnet has not commented on rumours that they intend holding discussions with stakeholders, including at least one long-distance bus company operator.
A response mid-December 2014 to the Save-our-Station petition initiated by the Grahamstown Residents Association caused consternation: it appeared to pass responsibility for maintaining the premises to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa).
Transnet's response, signed by Acting Group Chief Executive Karl Socikwa, emphasised that there was no plan to re-establish a passenger rail service from the station.
"Transnet will undertake to reinstate these premises as soon as an alternate sustainable economic use is identified," Socikwa wrote in his reply to the Grahamstown Residents Association. Handwritten on the copy addressed to Chairperson Fleur Way-Jones is the date, 24 December 2014.
Members of the Association expressed concern that Transnet appeared to be passing the buck for the state of the building.
"Transnet will only be able to reinstate the station building once an alternative use and occupier has been identified," the letter read. "Transnet has advised Prasa to identify an alternative lessee."
However, Transnet's emailed response today to questions from Grocott's Mail about the clean-up indicates they are no longer leaving the fate of the building in Prasa's hands. Their statement lends support to new rumours that Prasa's lease at the building has been terminated.
The state-owned freight-logistics company wrote in its reply on Friday 30 January, "Transnet Property has begun some work on the Grahamstown Station. We have also secured the site."
Spokesperson Siboniso Mboniso Sigonyela said, "Occupation of the property has reverted to us and the company is looking at possible solutions for the property."
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anele@grocotts.co.za
