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Cancellation of train trips sees many stranded
2008-04-16 09:45:03
By Austin Beyadi
Passengrs wishing to travel by Tanzania Railways Limited (TRL) have been compelled to wait for weeks before their due date because of recent cancellation of two up-country trains and increasing demand for tickets.
TRL Principal Public Relations Officer Choka Maezi told The Guardian in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the number of passengers has surged marginally compared to the past months when there were only four train trips to up-country destinations every week.
He said people are forced to wait for their travel date two to three weeks after booking, and that the company was working to ensure postponed trips resume early.
Maezi said the company was in the process of improving services for both cargo and passenger trains by early next year, with plans to increase train trips to Mwanza and Kigoma to six per week.
He said that in order to avoid inconveniences, customers should plan their travels well in advance.
TRL is a partnership between India\'s Rites consortium and state-owned Reli Assets Holding Company. Rites holds 51 per cent shares of the phased-out Tanzania Railways Corporation, and the government of Tanzania 49 per cent.
TRL will run the rail in a 25-year concession under the supervision of Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra).
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