The Lagos-Ibadan train service kicked off to a disappointing start yesterday, Monday December 7th, 2020, when only one passenger showed up to make the historic trip from Ibadan to Lagos.
According to the Nigerian Railway Corporations (NRC), the train service provides fully air-conditioned train services in all classes, from the Economy, Business to the First Class category.
Eko Hot Blog had earlier reported that Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi had announced the charges for the different classes which ranged from N3,000 for the Economy, N5,000 for the Business, and N6,000 for First Class.
Nigerians had pled for the charges to be slashed, especially in view of the present state of the economy.
It was gathered that the inaugural train service, which originated from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, left around 8:20 a.m and arrived Lagos at 10:40 a.m with less than five passengers aboard.
READ ALSO: Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line: Commercial Operations Begins
The train also failed to pick any passenger at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
“We had one passenger from Ibadan to Lagos, and this is not unusual. The service is just commencing. I’m sure as time goes on, the patronage will improve. Don’t forget again that we are approaching Christmas and New Year when patronage is expected to drastically improve,” a source on the inaugural trip told The Nation yesterday.
Jerry Oche, the Railway District Manager for Lagos, said: “The Lagos Ibadan standard gauge train affords members of the public the opportunity to leave Ibadan for Lagos at 8 a.m and return at 4 p.m the same day.”
Jerry also said that the journey time from Lagos to Ibadan is pitched at two and a half hours.
He said, “makes more sense, going by recent reports of traffic gridlock that has characterised Lagos-Ibadan road, due to ongoing road construction along that axis”.
The district manager enjoined Nigerians to embrace the new service, which, according to him is a new dawn in railway modernization.
He added that all prescribed COVID-19 preventive measures would be strictly adhered to.
The train reportedly left Lagos at 4.10 p.m for Ibadan with five passengers. The NRC said it would run one schedule of commercial service until patronage begins to improve.
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