Advantages and Disadvantages of Rail Transport
Advantages:
- Dependable:
- Better Organized:
- High Speed over Long Distances:
- Suitable for Bulky and Heavy Goods:
- Cheaper Transport:
- Safety:
- Larger Capacity:
- Public Welfare:
- Administrative Facilities of Government:
Disadvantages:
- Huge Capital Outlay:
- Lack of Flexibility:
- Lack of Door to Door Service:
- Monopoly:
- Unsuitable for Short Distance and Small Loads:
- Booking Formalities:
- No Rural Service:
- Under-utilized Capacity:
- Centralized Administration:
Learning Activities
You are an employ of a freight forwarding company in Nairobi and you are charged with dealing with transporting bulky cargo, you are contacted by a customer to move their 10000 tons of cereals as first as in can be possible to Nairobi. Their cargo is expected to arrive with a bulky carrier. The customer has a rail siding to his production plant.
Required
- Explain to the customer how fast you intent to move his goods.
- Explain the full documentation the customer needs to have in place.
- Explain the choice of the rail carrier you will use to move the goods.
- Explain the parties and their roles is this transaction
- What are the justification for the mode of transport to move their cargo?
Assignment
- List and explain at least five (5) rail carriers
- Discuss the criteria for rail transport infrastructure
- Explain the advantages and disadvantages of rail transport over road transport.