Checks by Citi Business News has shown that the over 600 commuters who use rail transport from Tema to Accra would have to wait a little longer after initial assurances indicated that the derailed train may be back on the tracks in two days.
The train which moved from Tema on October 23rd 2017 derailed at Tesano, injuring about 5 people.
According to operators of the train in Accra, the Railway Ministry has taken over the restoration of the train.
Initially, the operators told Citi Business News the train may back on the rails two days after the accident; however, the train is yet to recommence operations 6 days after.
Some commuters who spoke to Citi Business News at the Kantamanto Railway station indicated that the development will affect traders and business owners who find railway transport cheaper and convenient.
“It is very difficult for us. You know that rail transport is faster. It takes me a shorter time to move from Spintex to Accra when I use the train,” a commuter lamented.
A trader added “it has slowed down activities here. When people know they will get the train here, they sometimes buy from us, but as the accident happened the number of people who visit the station has dropped”
The train normally leaves Tema at 6:30am through Asaprochona in Sakumono, then to Baatsona, Dzowulu, Achimota, Odo at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle, then to Kantamanto in Accra.
The Area Manager of the Ghana Railway Company Limited at the Kantamanto station, Abraham Kingsley Woode, earlier told Citi Business News the development will adversely affect commuters.
“It will affect commuters; a lot of people rely on the train for transport. We are working to bring it back,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, has constituted a 3-member committee to look into circumstances that led to the derailment of the train
The committee, which is being chaired by the Deputy Railways Minister, Kwaku Agyenim-Boateng, is expected to complete work and present their report on Monday November 6th, 2017.
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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana
