Delayed Statistics Reveal Alarming Truth about Tunisia's Railway System
Certain statistics are published late due to the time it takes to collect inflation data, but they are intriguing and explain situations we are familiar with today.
Among these figures are those related to the average revenue generated per passenger on the Tunisian national railway network (SNCFT). In 2022, it stood at 0.044 TND.
As a yield, this is extremely low. While it is partly due to state-subsidized prices aimed at keeping transportation costs accessible to the population, this situation does not allow for good quality services. The revenue is largely insufficient to properly maintain the rolling stock. The result is visible to all, with outdated infrastructure.
At the same time, the state cannot bear the cost of renewing train sets. Improving transportation conditions can only be done gradually, mainly thanks to the company's own resources.
To achieve this, the first step is to increase tariffs, even if only slightly. In 2022, SNCFT transported 30.741 million passengers, a figure capable of improving overall profitability with a targeted strategy that simultaneously addresses pricing and control.
Moreover, the average revenue from transportation activities is better, with 0.060 TND per ton. The dynamics of the phosphate sector are of paramount importance to the company. The interconnection between public sectors is significant. A single decision can have positive repercussions in multiple sectors.
