First internal train trip in Baghdad as security improves

(29 Oct 2008)
Baghdad's Allawi al-Hilla neighbourhood
1. Exterior of Iraqi Railways Company building
2. Mid of sign reading (Arabic): "State Company for Iraqi Railways, Ministry of Transport"
3. Pan from train to platform, AUDIO of horn
4. Close-up of side of moving train
5. Train arriving at station
6. Passengers getting on train
7. Close-up of passengers' feet walking up train stairs
8. Back shot of passengers seated inside train
9. Empty seats in carriage
10. Wide of driver waving and smiling
11. Low-angle shot of train moving slowly, AUDIO of horn
12. Wide of rail track shot through train window
13. Low-angle shot of Abdul-Ameer Hamoud, Director of Central Transport walking next to train
14. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Abdul-Ameer Hamoud, Director of Central Transport:
"The price for a train ticket is 1000 Iraqi dinar (80 cents). We have launched this train to ease congestions, traffic jams in the Baghdad streets and consequently the arrival of a passenger by train is faster than by car to and from the centre of Baghdad."
15. Various of traffic jams
STORYLINE
Iraqi Railways on Wednesday launched for the first time, a train service in Baghdad as security improves across the Iraqi capital.
The train's route runs between Baghdad's northern neighbourhood of Kazimiyah and the southern district of Yousifiyah, and serves many areas in the capital, a senior Iraqi official said.
Abdul-Ameer Hamoud, Director of Central Transport said that the train trip would ease traffic jams in the capital.
Passengers can get to and from the centre of Baghdad faster than travelling by car, he said.
The price for a train ticket was 1000 Iraqi dinar (80 cents) Hamoud said.
In September a private luxury train that used to belong to former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein - equipped with chandeliers and Italian-made curtains, was returned to public service to help ease a train shortage.
Iraq has suffered a train shortage due to years of UN economic sanctions and looting following the US-led invasion.

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