Passengers since the re-launch of the Accra-Tema Railway line, in January this year, have had cause over GH?5 charged introduced with most of them arguing it was not cost effective.
Giving an update on progress of projects and programmes in the railway sector, Railway Development Minister, Joe Ghartey added that the ministry will address concerns of contractors who are complaining of procurement breaches in the bidding for the Eastern Road lines.
The minister also announced that the rail line from Achimota in Accra to Nsawam is expected to re-open soon.
According to him, the Achimota-Nsawam railway line was about 95 percent completed.
He announced that test runs have commenced and that the line is due to re-open for commercial operations soon.
The Minister disclosed that allocation has been made in the 2019 Budget to extend the rehabilitation works from Nsawam to Koforidua.
He stressed that there was an GH? 8 million budgetary allocation.
The Achimota-Nsawam line forms part of the Eastern Corridor railway which is to link Accra and Kumasi.
The rehabilitation of the line became necessary following a derailment of an Accra bound Diesel Multiple Unit.
$230 million approved for purchase of standard gauge rolling stocks
Joe Ghartey disclosed that the President Nana Akufo-Addo, has approved an amount of $230 million for the purchase of standard gauge rolling stocks for Ghana’s railway sector.
The move is in line with his vision to modernize the sector.
Minister of Railways Development, Joe Ghartey, made this known to the media on Wednesday at the Information Ministry in Accra.
He says the stocks are to be in the country by August or September this year.
He announced that in addition to the stocks, Government was purchasing 30 locomotive coaches.
(Selorm) | 
(Nana Kwesi)