A new commuter rail service has begun operating in Senegal.
Officials say it will help reduce pollution, and estimates expect about 100,000 passengers a day will use the trains.
But with half the population living below the poverty line, many people say the $3 ticket price is too expensive for them.
Al Jazeera’s Assed Baig reports.
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#Senegal #CommuterTrain #Dakar
Great job , Greeting from China
MashaAllah good to see such positive developments in Africa. Love from Uganda 🇺🇬
Let’s hope the interest rate to finance this project isn’t high and turns to be a debt trap!
More modern and nicer than what they have in US and in Canada lol.
al jazeera simply wonderful
Nice… This is happened with Chinese investments 👍👍👍🇨🇳
This was made by France ignoramus
@Isprikitik burkabush That is why it cost 6 times more.
If it is really by Chinese investment then expect nothing but corruption and a debt trap..
@Surya Gopisetty Addis Ababa, Ethiopia subway cost 475million for 34km with 39 stations. USD14million per km, USD12million per station and fare USD0.06 to 0.12.
Dakar, Senegal subway cost 1.7 billion for 36km with 14 stations. USD47million per km, 121 million per station and fare USD 3.00.
Stations are a lot more expensive to build than railway tracks but more stations makes it convenient for commuters and standard is 800m apart. By stations it is 10 times more expensive. By km it is 3 times. So average is more than 6 times. By fare it is 25 to 50 times.
@Surya Gopisetty Here comes the Hindu defending his white masters.
Congrats 🎉
China at it again, debt trapping poor African countries, this is pure neo colonialism, the Chinese is robbing Africa! Huh what, it’s France, oh then never mind, nothing to see here 🤣
Extremely happy for my Senegalese brother and sister. This is amazing.
Proud to be senegalese
half under the povery line and they spend money on this ?
So why not ?
The fare is 3 dollars, wow. This is excessively expensive for the Senegalese. Also, it seems like the construction costs were inflated. They are better off not having a commuter train. Forking over 1.3 billion dollars to France for a train that won’t be used.
That train will be used because the population need it. Stop talking about something you have no ideas and putting all african countries in the same bag.
About time
Honestly,, Senegal is doing so well. It’s one of the shining countries in West Africa and I have been noticing its HDI and GDP per capita increasing at a great rate. Good job. Proud of this country. Hello From NYC.
Aljazeera report, bird flu outbreak in Israel
Wasn’t in the president wishlist but that was a pseudo-project to save the French railway company ”ALSTOM” which was on the verge of bankruptcy.
These 15 trains cost us more than a billion dollar (USD) while other countries such as Algeria which had 17 of the same type, I repeat the same type, manufactured by the same company ALSTOM and for the same distance of 55km , spent only the wicked sum of $ 225,968,000.00.
And the most hilarious, after that the President of Senegal unveiled it for $ 1,725,625.54. It borders on sarcasm, incompetence and high treason!
How our countries can develop with this type of corruption ?
When is France and some of its allied countries going to stop sucking the blood of Africans?
Debt trap.
Is this a loan from china?
A debt trap from its former colonial master, France, Soon France will take over the entire Senegal again.
So proud of my country 🇸🇳 ❤
Ticket charges are expensive. It will keep many people away from using the train service. Senegal needs affordable mass transit service where people can access it without burning their pockets.
40 km = 40 min 3 USD still expensive, Compare tO mine just about 2 cent in same of distances
It’s too expensive 3 billions dollars 37 km if you compare it to the Laos – China railway 350 km that costs 6 billions dollars and go through more rocky terrain land field with many bridges and tunnels. From Sénégal Dieuredieuf YALNA DIAM YAG
Where are u getting the figures.
@KENNY KROSS go and check out the fact on YouTube post from the Chinese or Google it. We had already senegalese numbers in this video. I am in Dakar Senegal
@Darkpenguin 197 okay.
.. This is amazing, proud of Senegal
Does body checks in the train station as seen in the last few seconds of the video really necessary?
How will Senegal lay for such an expensive project? They will lease their country to China?
Very very impressed, Nigerians should be given one free ride and that’s it.
Nigerians are our older brothers! We need cooperation with Nigeria! Love from Senegal.
@Mamadou Sene All the president of Nigeria that are still alive should be given a free ride , their names are: Gowom, Ibrahim B.B, O Obasanjo, Bihari and Jonathan. And the music 🎶 played : it could have been you but it is over now 🎶🎶🎶🎶.
Is this a part of Chinese investment?
Roll it out to the rest of Africa. Senegal deserves to be king of Africa. Only their leadership can abolish selfish borders and transform Africa into Wakanda.👍🌹🌿💖🍫
MADE IN CHINA,…..
just like our trains in Australia.
Made in France .
@KENNY KROSS Assembled in France ….
@74sampson not made in France
It’s disgusting how the rich rule….
Give it 6 months before it’s lying in ruins thanks to the corrupt Chinese communists and useless African dictator
I can’t wait to visit……hello from Tucson AZ.
You Will be welcome here in Senegal ☺️
Who built them….
Financed by China ?
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia subway built by China cost 475million for 34km with 39 stations. USD14million per km, USD12million per station and fare USD0.06 to 0.12.
Dakar, Senegal subway cost USD1.3billion for 36km with 14 stations. USD36million per km, USD121million per station and fare USD3.00.
More stations makes it convenient for commuters and standard is 800m apart. Compare by stations it is 10 times more expensive. By km it is 3 times. By fare it is 25 to 50 times.
Unfortunately it was built by France. If it was china they would built much cheaper.
@KENNY KROSS expensive at sustainable
@Amit Singh the cost is too high for what France built. I do agree the product made by France has much better quality however the cost is too high. I just spoke with a guy from Laos and he told me that China has built a 400km for $1.5 billion dollars.
@Amit Singh not expecting an Indian say that… expensive ≠ sustainable, especially not in Africa
Another ripoff !
TER SENEGAL. 36 KM. 1200 MILLIARD. CES LA MAFIA FRANCESE
Here is a message to the “industrialist ” and to his employees…. maybe your employees who live in the suburbs can take the train, arrive on time and boost production…. so maybe you should purchase monthly train passes for your employees because the improved productivity will more than cover the cost, and maybe he only watched this video to look at himself and didn’t read this so to his employees…. ask/demand passes
💯
He looks like he’s thinking more of cutting out the bathroom breaks.
Beautiful ❤️❤️
I am happy to see this in the west Africa
Wow, this is a new train. Unlike Nigerias locomotive, repainted in China Nigerian government fooled themselves that still cost more than 4 dollars, Economy class. Nigerians would appreciate if that was the cost in Nigeria here. We are feeding the politicians. Non is good.
1.3💲Billion dollars for 40 km train infrastructure ! 😮 This is called ‘Election’ Winning infrastructure.
40 kms in 40 min at $3. Not quite cost effective but given the loan it’s better this way.Hopefully , would not end up being an white elephant. These kind of projects must be built with aid and not loans if china or west is really concerned about Africa. All the best from India.
Did Chinese funded this ? Then good 👍 luck 😉
France 30%,african bank of développement 30%,bank islamisk 30% and senegalese gov 10%…
Celebrate now, cry later when you cannot pay back to China
Problem with these things is maintenance and upkeep. Also vandalism. Where I live the train electric cables have been stolen so less and less trains
absolutely amazing. congrates senegal i cant wait to jump on this
And no wars….
No talk of a Chinese debt trap? Ah. It was the former colonialist French who built it. I was wondering why Al Jazeera wasn’t fear mongering about the Chinese. Nothing to worry about the French. The French never did bad things in Africa…
@IGN Ashi7 Plays ok dronie.
We all understand the fear mongering of the westerners. However, we Africans will let the debate between China and westerners!
Bad colonies France didit for Senegal .thatChinese debt trap africa leaders they don’t learner the things china is good friend is a fake friend as a Zimbabwe I wish Zimbabwe working with his former colonies that china now china build parliament fo Zimbabwe for free am worried about the free things
@Mamadou Sene Is this from China?
@Ice CP Let’s tell IGN to stop eating whitemeat sausage burger with mustard sauce. Very bad for his teeth and can cause bad breath 🤭👈
Great job Senegal 🇸🇳
Good work 👍 love from INDIA
Great for Senegal, but hope it’s not another Chinese apparatus coming with massive debts for centuries ahead
Nice 👍
Bravo senegal
God bless Senegal. Prosperity for everyone.
Whats it’s speed
I am glad that this is not a debt trap. Hope Africa prospers. Love from China.
Africa is already prospering.
Is this from China?
@Lynn Michael no from France
Congratulations to the people of Senegal, now you need to find a way to repay this investment in full and not have the people suffer. I am really happy for all the people.
GREAT IMPROVEMENTS FOR SENEGAL, BUT EVEN MORE ADVANCE FOR CHINA…THEY NEED TO GET THAT CHINESE VOICE OFF THE TRAIN,,,SAY THANK YOU IN JOLOFF OR FULANI…THIS IS AFRICA
What chinese voice are you referring to? This train has nothing to do with china. The voices are from a senegalese woman in wollof, french and english
Significantly, it was built by Engie and Thales of France and the ride looked distinctly wobbly and bumpy. Notice how the carriages swayed from side to side (00:38-00:40). Not half as smooth as the new train in Laos. Wonder why.
U sound like a true Nigeria noise maker
Fun fact: All this was funded by China
Fun fact…it wasn’t funded by China lol
Is all cool. The only issue is the absurd price it costed. About 1 billion. And the claims are that this price is a lie. government theft. The Governemn was trying to save a French Company from bankruptcy. No train of 65 Km costs 1 Billion Dollar. It is clear that the outrage of the senegalese people is legit, for this money could be invested in other sectors lacking, it was instead used to save a France company from Bakruptcy. Idk why some African countries love their colonizers to the point of rescuing them as a good boy.
Only 100 yrs late
CONGRATS..
Well done Senegal! From your brother in East Africa, Somalia.
It’s a debt and death trap now its built by the French! 😅
Why is he taking in french?? When Africa has over 3000 native languages!! No amount of fast trains will be equivalent to self respect…
The same reason you are writing this in English.
It is in Wolof, french and english. Why is that a problem?
Awesome
Well done 👍 Senegal 🇸🇳!!!! Congratulations 🎉🎊🎈🍾 on your accomplishments!!!! I want to visit Senegal and other African countries.
You’ll be the most welcome
Non thats a good result of Africa relationship with China
China has nothing to do with this. I don’t know why you guys believe this propaganda of the west against China in Africa and every investment in Africa is Chinese. That’s Senegalese money with french companies
Made in China not reliable train will broke down soon
Nice one from Kenya 😊.. happy seeing brothers prosper.. but lower the price its too expensive
Built by US? UK? Japan?
What is so difficult to mention that it was built by China?
france,not china.
Wow….Go Africa. Be great again. You deserved to be a great continent like as of before The Julius Caesar era. 👍👍
They should have gone for Non – Ac trains……that would have made tickets less pricey……and more affordable for people
USD 3 for 45 km is high. Comparing the highest costing private metro service in India Hyderabad cost 0.7 USD for the same distance.
3usd is only if you travel first class. The video is a bit misleading there. It varies from under a dollar to 3 depending on how far you travel and which class. It can be cheaper sure and might be in the futur but it is a good start for now
It’s great to see great infrastructure like these are being built in Africa. The ticket pricing on the other hand might make it a failure which completely disregard what an average person can afford in Senegal. At $3 per trip put it close to the transit ticket cost in develop nation though the average income is not even close. I hope they realize this and subsidize fares to make it accessible to average person.
3dollas is only if you want to travel first class. It would’ve been better to say that the price varies between under a dollar to 3 depending on how far you want to travel and if first or second class. Can each and every person afford it dayly? No but the average worker most definitely can. And it’s just the very start. The price can very much be changed a but in the futur to help out the less fortunates more. But it’s a good start. And trust me living there the time you can save up using the train plus the komfort and security it’s very much worth it in my opinion.
@John_doe_Galsen thanks for pointing this out. I believe this is a good start and cheaper seasonal passes can make this a daily commuter for many. They can also make it further cheaper for lower income people by offering subsidy on passes. In all I believe the idea should not only to reduce the number of cars on the road but also provide a cheaper, secure and more reliable means of transport to people that will open more opportunities for them.
$1.3 billion for a 40km rail?
for a Africa country by france . no debt trap.haha
@Anthony queen there’s no such thing as free lunch. What’s the catch?
China is continuing to build infrastructure in Africa meanwhile the west imperialists and colonizers are crying everyday complaining about China shame on them for wanting Africa not to move forward and develop
I hope the Senegalese did a technology transfer so they don’t depend on foreigners.
Good work Senegal! I’m sure y’all can work out the ticket costs
Why do African nations buy expensive modern equipment instead of settling for older equipment i.e. not second hand and then try and manufacture it in Africa. Study carefully the successful Indian model of doing things. The world needs Africa to succed so we can create a bigger pie. The main thing is to get rid of corrupted politicians if Africa is going to succed.
Much love from Tanzania, May God bless Africa, May God bless Senegal
meanwhile in America
Congrats Senegal for a thing that is in Europe for 10000 years. I see Africa moving forward.
Congratulation to our Senegalese people. You did good job, Enemies talk a lot even on the date of your Happiness; Keep amazing Africa! From Ethioipia.
From Tanzania, congratulations president of Senegal and all Senegalese .., that’s good steps for our mama Africa..
Africa is rising good job people
So a French debt trap it is.(sarcasm）
Senegal, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Morocco, Namibia are the only African countries that I think have a bright future.
Good job Senegal and congratulation to my brothers and sisters of Senegal. from India
No mention of debt trap? Anyway great job France
Why I don’t hear the nonsense of debt trap here? €1.67bn for 40kM is really a lot.
Great stuff. Keep going Senegal.
At first i thought that this was funded by the Belt and Road initiative, which is no problem, but knowing that this was funded by Senegal’s president makes it so much more influential because it was a move by the government itself. Amazing first step!
This is a perfect example of Chinese Debt Trap politics
Congrats Senegal!
Hope the staff are Senegalese
Cool. Is it built by China or Germany? Any possible debt-trap involved? I’m guessing not, but just wondering.
grand sénégal. l’amour du Kenya🇰🇪🇰🇪👍