WAEC Geography 2023 Theory — Question 3

Model answer

(a) Advantages of rail transportation: most suitable for transporting bulky goods; relatively cheap; can go long distances; helps to open up new lands/areas; has larger carrying capacity; relatively safe, e.g. fewer accidents/security; low cost of routine maintenance. (b) Problems affecting rail transportation: inadequate/non-availability of spare parts/high cost of spare parts; inadequate capital/low budgetary allocation; low patronage, e.g. passengers, bulky goods; poor standard coaches; slow speed; poor management/planning/poor maintenance culture. (c) Solutions to the problems in 3(b): fabrication of spare parts/importation of spare parts; refurbishing of coaches/standard uniform gauge and multiple tracks; publicity/advertisement, adequate capital/increased budgetary allocation, and training and retraining of personnel; buying new and modern coaches and improved management/monitoring and service delivery.