(left) addresses new Zambia Railways Board members at his office as
the new Board Chairperson Davies Chama looks on in Lusaka
THE ZAMBIA Railway Limited (ZRL) yesterday launched the first ever passenger services train to operate between Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Minister Yamfwa Mukanga reaffirmed that the launch was in line with Governments vision of ensuring the railway network connect provinces and neighbouring countries.
Mr Mukanga said the Patriotic Front (PF)’s campaign promises of linking the provinces and ensuring reliable train transport services was bearing fruit.
Mr Mukanga was speaking in Kapiri Mposhi yesterday during the commissioning of the passenger service train in partnership with the Tanzania Zambia Railways (TAZARA) which was also attended by Central Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta, Central province Permanent Secretary Edwidge Mutale and her deputy Ronald Sinyangwe, ZRL Chief Executive officer Muyenga Atanga, among several others senior government and PF officials.
He said the government was committed to ensuring the railway network was improved and pledged its support to see to it that the government’s vision was achieved.
“I am happy that the commissioning of the train services will compliment the already existing TAZARA train service and would provide a regular passenger train between Kapiri Mposhi and Nakonde thereby increasing a number of people using our train, “he said.
The minister said the introduction of the passenger train service had a potential of enhancing the livelihood of the people considering the trade activities taking place between Kitwe to Nakonde via Kapiri Mposhi.
Mr Mwaliteta said the commissioning of the train services would assist alleviating the strain on the roads and reduce on the cost of travelling from central to Muchinga province especially for small and medium entrepreneurs.
Ms Mutale said the province looked forward to a time when a policy direction would be issued not to allow heavy duty vehicles on the roads promote the use of wagons as a means of protecting the roads from further damage.
How many days will it take to reach Nakonde?
I WOULD STRONGLY ADVICE TRAVELERS TO TAKE A TRAIN IF TIME IS NOT AT STAKE BUT SAFETY.
It does not add any value to the transport sector in general or TAZARA in particular. ..
Is it a political decision? I don’t see any in it
Indeed PF its a bunch of retards. Only them can make sense of such a stupid venture.
Indeed PF is a bunch of retards. Only them can make sense of such a stupid venture.
This is definitely safer than riding on buses driven by your reckless brothers. No point opposing ideas just for the sake of it. Be positive
I can now do my business well. Those buses were exploiting us by charging very high prices based on the volume of the lagguage and not its weight. Now I will be able to transport my Nakonde rice and buy stuff for my hardware from TZ. Good move on this one ba GRZ.
I would rather pay more and be driven by a reckless bus driver than riding on a train for a month just to save money. When am I ever goin to sale my products. It doesn’t make any business sense at all. Only PF see sense in this.
All the same my business is bound to grow now. I will be ordering stuff in bulk unlike in the past. Ba truck driver umutengo sana! I am assured of delkiverly of my stuff in the first few days of packing it in Nakonde. I can not wait!
different colours one people different thinking one people
Mwebantu tamwakwata icisuma.The idea has come up you are not supporting it from the word go.Wait and see first.It will be safer to use train at certain times during your business.
Have you ever heard of train having “tyre burst”? only delay of arrival and many stoppages that’s all.It is only that we have not yet been informed on the schedule .
for this route prepare to spend not less that one month two weeks on the train, allow for the slow speed (30kms/h max), break-downs and train stops after every 3kms!
Is it being ignorant or just too negative? I take two days by train from Dar-salaam to Kapiri. You mean Kapiri to Nakonde is further than Kapiri to Dar-salaam? This a problem to some Zambians: commenting on issues we have no knowledge.
I can’t wait using this train. Now, please tell me, what is the time table? Never again shall I use the bus. Those opposing this development seem to be those coming from other provinces where it will not benefit them much. Its one Zambia one Nation, still we need to appreciate a good initiative no matter where its coming from.
This looks like the last nail in TAZARA’s coffin. I can smell a rat and i can only advice the TAZARA workers to start looking for jobs elsewhere.
Its a good idea modernising the rail line to improve it like a fast train on the modern electric rail track with reduced travel time to hours might add value to tazara just like most world class rail lines that operate passengers and commodities in real time in competition and complementary to air and road
The capital expenditure now on Tazara must operationalize make a return on the investments and be a going concern supporting the business model longterm in the foreseeable future.
Its like you borrow money and use it make a profit on it return the borrowed and leave you well off to make returns on capital and the general attractiveness of the business that attracts investors well meaning its good