WAEC Commerce 1993 Theory question 106

(a) Problems (five, explained): poor maintenance – old tracks, engines and wagons cause breakdowns and accidents; slow and unreliable service; limited network – many towns not linked; no door-to-door service, so goods need extra road transport; narrow-gauge single tracks limit speed and capacity; poor management and corruption; theft and vandalism of goods and equipment; inadequate funding; competition from road transport.
(b)(i) Tramp ships: cargo ships with no fixed route or timetable; they go wherever cargo is available, are hired (chartered) by shippers, carry bulky low-value goods (e.g. coal, grain), charges are by negotiation.
(ii) Ocean liners: ships that sail on fixed routes to a fixed timetable whether full or not; carry passengers, mail and general cargo; charges are fixed; owned by shipping lines.

In (b) contrast routes, timetables, cargo and charges.