Ethiopia- Djibouti train fare announced
The Ethiopia-Djibouti railway transport fare was announced today with the maximum fare covering the longest distance between Lebu, Addis Ababa, and Negad– a destination in the Djibouti-set at 1,341 birr. This was announced at the official launching ceremony of the transport today January 1, 2018.
The Ethio-Djibouti railway line constructed at the cost of USD 3.8 billion will give transportation services to passengers in seated and couch sections. Accordingly, a regular seat from Addis Ababa to Adama will cost 68 birr while travelers to Dire Dawa, Elsabeh and Negad will have to pay 308 birr, 459 birr and 503 birr, respectively. This translates to 0.68 birr per kilometer on average.
The couch section is divided into regular and VIP sections with regular couch rooms accommodating triple bunk beds namely the upper, middle and lower bunks each with varying fares.
Booking the upper bunk bed, one has to pay 91 birr to go to Adama, 410 birr to Dire Dawa, 612 birr to Elsabeh and 671 birr to Negad. For the same distance, commuters have to pay 125 birr, 564 birr, 841 birr and 922 birr to travel to Adama, Dire Dawa, Elsabeh and Negad, respectively, if they decide to book the middle bunk bed. The lower bunks are relatively pricy with 137 birr, 616 birr, 918 birr and 1,006 birr for Adama, Dire Dawa, Elsabeh and Negad, respectively.
With regard to the VIP couch services, with each room accommodating two bunk beds, one has to pay 171 birr, 769 birr, 1,147 birr and 1,258 birr, correspondingly, to travel to Adama, Dire Dawa, Elsabeh and Negad in the upper bunk beds. The lower bunk beds as well cost 182 birr, 821 birr, 1,224 birr and 1,341 birr, respectively, for each of the above mentioned destinations.
As far as cargo is concerned, USD 0.051 per ton for a kilometer distance is set with fares payable with birr calculating the equivalent at 22.5 birr/USD exchange rate.
The transport also offers a 50 percent discount for commuters who wish to use the services for the coming 15 consecutive days.
source: The Reporter
