Visionary Reports

The trains that have been put at the disposal of the population will have a 2 minute stop each in 5 different destinations on its way to Yaoundé.

July 1 marks the inaugural journey of the “express train” from Douala to Yaoundé. The inaugural journey that was announced by the Minister of Transport Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle’ Bibehe came after a five year suspension of activities. The first voyage actually came to fruition as the train dubbed “Express Train” took off at 6 am from the Douala Besengue-Douala rail way station en route to Yaoundé. The maiden voyage, was the launch of a new offer of transport by train between Douala and Yaoundé. The rail way line will run daily trips with  trains departing from Douala (06h00) and Yaoundé (14h00)  with two minutes stopover each  in  Edéa, Messondo, Eséka, Makak and Ngoumou stations, thanks to new General Electric locomotives acquired by the Government of Cameroon.

The various stops will allow Camrail  to reconcile   with the people living near the railways lines, who, have in the past reproached the company for traveling while ignoring them even though train remains their only and reliable means of transport.

 Information from Camrail indicated that the Express train is a palliative solution implemented by the Government within the framework of rail investment projects which have made it possible to rehabilitate more than 200 km of track (Batchenga-Ka’a, Douala and Yaoundé entrances). Renewal projects for nearly 500 km of railway lines are being studied with the support of Cameroon’s multilateral partners.

It is worth mentioning that the Express Train will connect the cities of Douala and Yaounde with stops in Edéa, Messondo, Eséka, Makak, and Ngoumou. Fully air-conditioned, the Express Train passenger coaches are comfortable. Its seats are self-adjusting and each passenger, from their seat, can take advantage of the sockets that have been installed for recharging phones and laptops. The bar-restaurant car offers the possibility of tasting a variety of dishes accompanied by drinks adapted to the trip. Thanks to the lounges with which its cars are equipped, the Express Train offers an ideal space for families and friends for a friendly trip.

First class tickets to Yaounde will cost CFA 10 000 for one way while round trips will cost CFA 17 000. The premium class will cost FCFA 8 000 for single trip and FCFA 14 000 for round trip. Other tariffs are as follows Douala -Edea, CFA 3.500, Douala- Messondo, CFA 4.500, Douala-Eseka  CFA 5.500; Douala Makak CFA 7.000, and Douala Ngoumou  CFA 8.000. It should be recalled that the different prices have witnessed a slight decrease. The different travelling hours are as follows: Shuttle 1, Douala – Yaoundé (with 2 minutes stops each in Edéa-Makak-Eseka-Messondo-Ngoumou), Departure 6:00 a.m. – arrival at 11:00 a.m. Shuttle 2 (Yaoundé – Douala) Departure 2:30 p.m. – arrival at 7:30 p.m.

By GINA ESONG