The Regional Express Train (TER) is currently operating at a loss, according to Senegal’s land and infrastructure minister Yankhoba Diémé, who provided an assessment of its first three years of operation.
This reality, long implied, was officially confirmed on Thursday by Diémé, whose ministry is also responsible for air transport affairs. During a presentation reviewing the TER’s initial three years, he offered precise details on its financial situation.
“The fact that the TER lacks a true regional scope costs us dearly and limits its effectiveness. This generates significant expenses. Currently, operating revenues cover barely 60% of the costs,” the minister revealed during a site visit.
In other words, the new infrastructure, which cost nearly 1,000 billion CFA francs, remains heavily reliant on state support.
“Under the terms of the operating contracts, the state must offset an annual deficit of about 18 billion CFA francs. Over three years of operation, this totals 54 billion CFA francs,” Diémé added.
The minister stressed that this financial shortfall can only be addressed if the TER fully realises its mission of connecting Senegal’s regions.
“It’s unthinkable to turn back. We must move forward,” he declared, emphasising the need to successfully navigate “the clutch phase” to align the TER with its intended purpose.
This, he said, requires extending the network, particularly through phase 2 of the project, to serve more regions.
Finally, regarding the operating contract with SNCF, set to expire in 2026, the state is already preparing to renegotiate terms to maximise its interests.
TE/ac/sf/lb/as/APA