Takoradi-Kumasi Rail Service Suspended

THE Ghana Railway Company (GRC) has since the past month, suspended indefinitely, its passenger service from Takoradi to Kumasi.

However, Cocoa evacuation from Kumasi to the Takoradi Habour will continue.

An official of GRC told the ?Times?, that the suspension of the passenger service was due to the break-down of the fleet of locomotive engines and the high consumption of fuel by the remaining engines in operation.

The company topped passenger and cargo haulage services from Takoradi to Accra and Kumasi to Accra about four years ago largely due to the same problems.

The Accra-Tema shuttle service for workers and traders has also been suspended because of the on-going rehabilitation work on the rail-line, while the Kumasi- Ejisu service was abandoned last year due to lack of engines and high cost of fuel.

The official explained that the total withdrawal of government support for the GRC had reduced the company?s performance, adding that lack of government support in the procurement of spare-parts and vital equipment was hindering the rehabilitation of rail lines, broken-down locomotive engines, wagons and coaches.

He explained that unlike the road sector which is entirely constructed and maintained by the govern-ment, the rail network and locomotive engines are provided by government, but they have to be routinely maintained by the GRC.