| Rail transport in Senegal | |
| Infrastructure: | Transrail |
| Majoroperators: | Transrail |
| Length: | 906km (563miles) |
| Gauge1length: | 36km (22miles) |
Senegal's rail network consists of 906 km of railway at gauge, and 36 km of gauge. The metre-gauge network is part of the Dakar–Niger Railway which crosses the border to Mali. The railway is operated by Transrail, managed by the Belgian company Vecturis.[1]
The single standard gauge line is a commuter railway in Dakar, the Train Express Regional Dakar-AIBD, which opened in 2021.
Senegal was formerly part of the federation of French West Africa so the history of its railways is closely linked to that of its neighbours.
This was the first railway line in French West Africa when it opened in 1885. It is now out of service, although some trains operate on parts of the line conveying phosphates and other minerals from mines in the Louga region to Dakar.
Construction work on the Dakar–Niger Railway began at the end of the 19th century. The line was completed at the beginning of the 20th century.
See main article: Petit train de banlieue. The Petit train de banlieue (PTB) was a passenger train providing regular commuter services between Dakar railway station and Thiès, via Thiaroye and Rufisque. It was inaugurated in December 1987 but was discontinued in 2016.[2]
See main article: Train Express Regional Dakar-AIBD.
This line was in construction from 2016 and was officially inaugurated in 2019, although the first passenger run was not until December 2021. It links Dakar with Diamniadio, with construction ongoing to reach Blaise Diagne International Airport as of August 2023.[2]
A gauge conversion from to was planned.[3] [4] [5]
In August 2006 RITES of India was to supply five metre-gauge locomotives, with vacuum brakes converted to air brakes.
In October 2007 70 air braked coaches were ordered from Rail Coach Factory in India.[6] A 750km (470miles) rail line was planned to Faleme River region of South East Senegal for iron ore traffic.[7]
In 2010, the Faleme project has been delayed by disputes between the leaseholders. In the meantime, the Dakar-Port Sudan Railway project surfaced.
A goods railway was constructed from Thies to a mineral sand mine situated to the west. The track from Thies to Dakar was refurbished, and several trains a week now operate to Dakar port.
In June 2023, as part of President Macky Sall's project to rebuild Senegal's rail capacity, a test run was conducted between Thies and Diourbel, with a full opening planned for December 2023 or January 2024. This is a first step towards the eventual goal of re-establishing a rail connection between Dakar and Tambacounda.[8]