Kei Rail
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rail line
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| name = Kei Rail
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| start = AmaBhele
| end = Mthatha
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| open = 2008
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Kei Rail is a railway project in South Africa.
The Eastern Cape government restored rail services between AmaBhele and Mthatha,{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200909010104.html
|accessdate=2010-10-17
|title=allAfrica.com: South Africa: Kei Rail Project's Safety Permit Renewed
|date=2010-10-17
}} on an abandoned branch from the East London-Springfontein main line. Infrastructure was rebuilt, and passenger services restarted in March 2008. The local Department of Roads and Transport leases the network from Transnet Freight Rail, and Sheltam Grindrod are subcontracted to operate trains.{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-World-Railways/Kei-Rail-South-Africa.html
|accessdate=2010-10-17
|title=Kei Rail (South Africa)|publisher=Jane's Information Group
}}{{cite web|url=http://www.southafrica.info/business/economy/infrastructure/kei-rail2.htm
|accessdate=2010-10-17
|title=Kei Rail project steams ahead - SouthAfrica.info
}}
The project was part of a broader development plan for the region. The line has also been used by the Phelophepha health train. ECDORT planned several other projects to restore disused infrastructure in the province. However, funding was threatened and the service was not connected with the rest of the South African rail network;{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/10/kei-rail/
|accessdate=2010-10-17
|title=KEI RAIL|publisher=Railways Africa
}} Kei Rail suspended services in November 2010{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/11/kei-rail-grounded/|accessdate=2010-12-01|title=KEI RAIL – GROUNDED |publisher=Railways Africa}} but resumed in June 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2011/08/kei-rail-back-in-operation/|accessdate=2011-08-17|title=KEI RAIL BACK IN OPERATION|publisher=Railways Africa}}
20 coaches were repossessed by Transnet Rail Engineering, and sold to an Angolan railway operator in September 2011.{{cite news|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/news-in-brief-62.html|accessdate=2011-09-14|title=News in Brief|date=2011-09-13|work=Railway Gazette International}}
In September 2012 PRASA withdrew their support as station operator and on 31 October 2012 the Eastern Cape Department of Transport suspended the service due to lack of funds for the service. As of 2023, the train has not resumed service.