Demand for rail passenger transport on the Nacala-Nampula route, in Nampula province, northern Mozambique, has been growing significantly since its reintroduction last October, a fact that satisfies the operating company, Nacala Logistics.
By way of illustration, according to a press release sent to AIM today, in the first fortnight of December alone, the company registered more than 13,000 passengers, an increase of more than 100 per cent compared to the first two months of the service’s reintroduction on the aforementioned stretch.
“In fact, in the first two months – October and November – Nacala Logistics carried five thousand more passengers,” explains the company’s statement.
Agata Pascoal, supervisor of the passenger train, says that the growing demand for the service has exceeded the company’s expectations.
“After three decades, the passenger train has started running again in Nacala and we believed that, although it was in demand, it would take some time for the carriages to fill up. We were surprised by the great demand and at the same time encouraged to continue serving our customers by investing in the continuous improvement of our services,” said the source quoted in the statement.
The passenger train on the Nacala – Nampula route, inaugurated on 8th October this year, has been a favourite with business people, students and families who find the service safe, quiet and cheap.
On average, Nacala Logistics carries around 500,000 passengers a year. Currently, in addition to the Nacala – Nampula route, the passenger train runs on the Nampula – Cuamba, Cuamba-Lichinga, Lichinga – Cuamba and Cuamba – Entrelagos routes.
AIM
