THE ABUJA-KADUNA TRAIN RESUMES OPERATION
THE Federal Government, FG, has announced the commencement of the Abuja-Kaduna train services starting today, 5th December, 2022.
This is coming 251 days after when the Federal Government announced suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna train following the Boko Haram terrorists attack on moving passenger train in Kaduna on March 28, 2022.
The insurgents had blown up the rail track and bombed the moving train, killing some and abducting more than 60 passengers. The unprecedented attack attracted international and national outrage.
Following the commencement of the Abuja-Kaduna train, our correspondent boarded the train from Idu to Kubwa stations in Abuja to monitor the resumption of the service.
At the junction leading to the Idu train Terminal, a few cars and motorcycles were seen at the park about 30 minutes before the take-off of the first train, indicating a low turnout of passengers.
We recalled the mixed reactions that trailed the first announcement of resumption of Abuja-Kaduna train services, particularly from individuals and families who were victims or had relatives that were victims of the March 2022 train attack.
There were low activities of businesses, unlike the Idu terminal that attracted massive small-scale businesses at every corner before the attack.
The majority of the coaches were empty and the few with passengers had few passengers.
STATE OF SECURITY
Our correspondent also observed that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, were also seen at the entrance of the station indicating the presence of security.
Our correspondent also observed mounted cameras at various areas in the terminal, also inside the train.
Recently, The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu said passengers on the route must register their phone numbers and National Identification Number (NIN) at the point of ticket purchase as part of ways to beef security.
Mu’azu had also told Nigerians that other unnoticeable security measures have been taken. For example, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, said there would be a massive deployment of hi-tech security apparatus, to boost security.
He said the government was in the process of acquiring explosion sensors that would detect and eliminate threats on the track.
INCREASE IN THE COST OF TRANSPORT FARE
In confirmation of the hike in ticket fare, the Abuja-Kaduna train service from Idu to Rigasa has been pegged at N9,000 for 24-seater coaches, N6,500 for 56 and 68-seater coaches and N3,600 for 88-seater coaches while minors are expected to pay N3,000.
Before the attack, the Abuja-Kaduna train from Idu to Rigasa was pegged at N7,000 for 24-seater coaches, N5,000 for 56 and 68-seater coaches and between N2,600 to N3,000 for 88-seater coaches depending on the time of the trip while minors paid N1,500.
