The Ghana Railway Company Limited says patronage of its services has shot up significantly since fuel prices and transport fares started surging.
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.
Energy Analysts have predicted a bleak predicament for Ghanaians as they expect a further increment in the next pricing window.
Ghanaians have already initiated alternatives to escape from the high transportation fares by opting for the use of train.
According to the Ghana Railway Company, passenger numbers have doubled in the last week alone.
“As we speak now, in terms of patronage, it has gone high just even 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 told JoyNews.
Public Relations Officer of the company, Roy Brown said they are now considering adding more coaches to the Accra service.
“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.
“I have to pick the train because it is affordable and traffic-wise this is faster,” one passenger told JoyNews.
“Because of the economic situation, we need to save as well. As at now I have my own motorbike but I have to park,” another said.
He said Government is looking forward to bringing in more trains to also run the same service.
Meanwhile, government is currently in talks with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to secure cheaper petroleum products for the Ghanaian market.
The Deputy Energy Minister, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, Managing Director of Bulk Oil Storage Transportation Limited, Edwin Provencal and National Petroleum Authority Boss, Perry Okudzeto are the key members leading the negotiation.
They have been scheduled to meet the Chief Executive of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan Al Jaber on Friday, November 4.
