Benin has a total of 578 km (359 mi) of single track, 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) (metre gauge) railway. Rail construction began around 1900, with regular services commencing in 1906; rail operation was taken into government control (from private companies) in 1930. The proposed Benin-Niger railway will be converted to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge.