The Regional Express Train is not like the buses of the company Dakar Dem Dikk, seems to say the general manager of the company operating the Regional Express Train (TER), Stéphane Volant, on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, one day after the start of the TER. The elderly man warned the Senegalese people, especially the young, who are used to attacking public goods on the occasion of demonstrations or strikes. Stéphane Volant, in collaboration with the national gendarmerie, promised severe sanctions against those who would attack trains.
The general management of the operating company of the TER wanted to warn the Senegalese population. Trains are no way to express anger or grievances. Stéphane Volant, the director general, recalled, the day after the trains are put into circulation, that the security measures will be strengthened so that the TER, which cost more than 700 billion in Senegal, is not curtailed in the event of popular demonstrations. “If the young people attack the Ter, we will get yelled at and very severely by the gendarmerie. It’s there to protect our customers, to protect that infrastructure,” he said.
Thus, those who dare to use the TER to put pressure on the government or try to be heard will be severely punished. Stéphane Volant seems to be saying that there will be no tolerance. “Anyone who comes to attack this Senegalese symbol will be severely punished,” he continued.
Remember that Le Train Express Régional, launched since 2017, was inaugurated on Monday, December 27, 2021 by Senegalese President Macky Sall. A total of 15 state-of-the-art trains will take passengers from Dakar to Diamniadio via Thiaroye and Rufisque every 10 minutes. The selected fares vary between 500, 1000 and 1500 FCFA. Passengers who want to occupy the first class will have to pay 2500 FCFA.
