Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Togolais

concluded

In January 1996, the Canadian company, Canac International, took over the operations and management of the Togolese national railway system under a 7-year contract. Previously, former Reseau des Chemins de Fer de Togo was restructured and its name changed to Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Togolais (SNCT) to facilitate private participation in both passenger and freight services. Canac International was a subsidiary of the state-owned Canadian National Railways. The Togo railway network comprised three main lines, but two were out of operation at the time of contract award. Canac operated the third, a 208km main line, plus a 75km dedicated short line carrying freight from a mine. Canac primarily managed freight traffic, but did operate a very limited passenger service. Canac received a set management fee plus a share of profits - both of which come solely from railway revenues (as of Jan 1998). During its first year of operation, Canac cut expenses by 1/2 and doubled freight revenue.