Ghanaians have already begun to explore alternatives to high transportation costs by opting for train travel.In the wake of skyrocketing fuel prices and transport fares, Ghana Railway Company Limited has experienced significant growth in patronage.Currently, petrol and diesel prices are being sold at an average of ¢18 and ¢23 per litre, from the previous prices of ¢15 and ¢19 per litre respectively.

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Predictions by energy analysts have shown harsh conditions ahead for Ghanaians, as a further increment is expected in the next pricing window.Passenger numbers have doubled in the last week alone, according to the Ghana Railway Company.Public Relations Officer(PRO), Roy Brown, in an engagement with the media, noted that they have seen nearly fifty 50 new passengers.

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In this regard, the PRO noted that due to this, they have plans of increasing their coaches.  “As we speak now, in terms of patronage, it has gone high. Just yesterday we exceeded our normal intake…it is normally supposed to take around 335 passengers but yesterday and the day before, we exceeded. This morning it went up 382 thereabouts, so that clearly tells you that people have now accepted the train,” he noted.

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“Going forward, we also plan that we will add another coach, the coaches are supposed to be six, but currently we are running five coaches,” he added.Some commuters expressed that they had to turn to their old love, train services, to cushion them amidst the indiscriminate increase in transport fares.“I have to pick the train because it is affordable and traffic-wise, this is faster,” one passenger said.

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“Because of the economic situation, we need to save as well. As of now I have my own motorbike, but I have to park,” another said.Further adding, Mr Roy mentioned he looks forward to bringing in more trains to also run the same service.Meanwhile, Mr Brown noted that, government is currently in talks with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to secure cheaper petroleum products for the Ghanaian market.

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Leading members leading this negotiation are the Deputy Energy Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage Transportation Limited, Edwin Provencal and National Petroleum Authority Boss, Perry Okudzeto.On Friday, November 4, the team is expected to meet the Chief Executive of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan Al Jaber.

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In July this year, Accra-Tema passenger train service resumed full operations after it was temporarily suspended for rehabilitation. Ghana Railway Company urged Ghanaians to patronize their services as it is relatively cheaper than the regular means of transportation.In September of this year, the government signed a $3.

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2 billion contract with Thelo DB of South Africa and Transtech Consult Limited of Ghana to modernize the rail infrastructure on the Western Railway Line from Huni Valley to Dunkwa via Awaso and Nyinahin to Eduadin to facilitate efficient freight haulage.On the 7th of March 2001 under the company’s Act,1963 (Act 179) the Ghana railway company limited was created Source: The Independent Ghana

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