After close to five years suspension of its services, the passenger train plying Douala-Yaounde is set to go operation again Thursday 1 July 2021. The train dubbed Train Express will be launched following strong demand for passenger traffic on the said stretch.
The re-launch of activities will be under the watchful eyes of Transport Minister, Jean Ernest Ngale Bihehe in the company of CAMRAIL officials – the company in charge of rail transport management in the country.
This follows maintenance works carried out on both the trains and the rails to meet international standards for the transport of people and goods and purchase of new locomotives. A pilot trip that was rated satisfactory was done Thursday 29 April 2021.
Government is in the process of ordering 25 new train sets which will be put on the same line. Huge investments have also been made and more are underway to provide customers with the satisfaction they desire.
CAMRAIL's security policy has been stepped up on the entire network to comply with international standards, procedures strengthened and coordination dedicated to safety management created. At least 99% of the staff operating throughout the network are Cameroonians who have benefited annual trainings nationally and internationally. CAMRAIL has started major renewals of the railway lines as well.
The railway line will operate daily trips. Takeoffs are scheduled for 6:00 a.m. from Douala and 2:30 p.m. from Yaounde. The railway line will also have five stops of two minutes each at the intermediate stations in Edéa, Messondo, Eséka, Makak and Ngoumou. The intermediate stops will make it possible to open up the towns of the hinterland, transport and bring passengers from neighboring villages.
The various stops will allow the company to mark rapprochement with the people living near the railways lines, who, have in the past reproached the company for traveling while ignoring them even though train remains their only and reliable means of transport, officials say.
Officials have revealed that first class tickets will cost FCFA 10 000 for one way while round trips will cost FCFA 17 000. The premium class will cost FCFA 8 000 for single trip and FCFA 14 000 for round trip.
Also, the company has made reservation of a seat two or more days in advance possible via online platforms – MyCamrail application available on Playstore and IOS, through their website on www.mycamrail.cm, by email through service.voyageurs@camrail.net, and on phone calls through 233 50 26 99/222 22 13 03/650 60 09 40.
The Train Express has wide range advantages notably more comfortable seats with tables, workspaces with sockets to charge your devices throughout the trip, a bar-restaurant area, comfortable armchairs with electrical outlets to charge phones and laptops, discussion spaces for doing business during the trip, TV to follow programs and Wi-fi.
By Doh Bertrand Nua
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