– The Kaduna-Abuja railway is still generating reactions across the nation
– Many Nigerians are stunned that such an infrastructure exists in the country
– ZENITHBLOG.com reporters took a ride on the train to experience the journey
To make the journey to Kaduna as early as possible, Aliyu Ahmed slept at the Idu train station in the outskirts of Abuja, to board the train from Nigeria’s capital to the ancient northern city.
Passengers throng the Idu train station in the outskirts of Abuja very early to meet the 6am train leaving for Kaduna
“I learnt my lesson from first time I came to board the train, I missed it even though I was just about 10 minutes late,” he told ZENITHBLOG.com as he hurried down the stairs to enter one of the brand new coaches launched by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2016.
Many Nigerians who have plyed the route are still shocked about the infrastructure in place, at the train stations in Rigasa, Kaduna and in Idu and Kubwa stations, Abuja.
”It’s like in Europe,” a respondent told ZENITHBLOG.com after getting off the train from Kaduna. ”I do not believe this is happening in Nigeria.”
The facilities at the train station are world-class
The human traffic along the route has since increased as the Nigerian government closed the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja due to runway repairs for six weeks.
With airlines landing at the Kaduna International Airport, some passengers have used the opportunity to have a feel of the Kaduna-Abuja railway experience. More so as it is free and buses are provided for air passengers to and fro the train stations.
More and more people are using the option of the train services on a daily basis
”We had roughly 3,000 passengers on a daily basis before now, but with the closure of the airport, we should be hitting 5,000,” an official of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) told ZENITHBLOG.com under the condition of anonymity.
Air passengers don’t have to pay. As soon as they land at the Kaduna airport, there are Chisco buses waiting at the arrival lounge, which will take them straight to the Rigassa train station.
Amazed by the facilities in place, some passengers pose for pictures as soon as they disembarked from the train
On getting to the station, there is an official of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority waiting for them, who will simply ask to see their boarding pass, and lead them to one of the coaches of the train reserved for air passengers.
Inside the train itself is an experience worth having – enough leg space, well-mannered officials, armed security, good air-conditioning system and small screens were showing movies. Passengers can also buy cups of coffee, snacks and soft drinks from stewards who move around.
The VIP section of the train
Regular tickets are sold for 600 naira while the VIP section goes for 1,050 naira. The difference between both areas is the simple fact that while the regular section has three
According to the NRC, the first train service commences at 6am from Idu train station Abuja, stops over at Kubwa at 6:16am and arrive Rigasa train station, Kaduna at 8:25am. The train then leaves Rigasa at 9am and arrives Idu, Abuja at 11:25am.
A first class ticket on the train
The second train service departs Idu, Abuja at 11:55am, stops over at Kubwa at 12:11pm, leaves for Rigasa at 12:16PM and arrives Rigasa at 2:20PM.
The schedule also shows that the train service will depart Rigasa, Kaduna at 2:50pm and arrive Idu, Abuja at 5:15pm.
A mini-shop in the VIP section of the train
The third and final service for each day will depart Idu at 5:45pm, stops over at Kubwa station to collect passengers, depart Kubwa at 6:06pm to arrive Rigasa, Kaduna at 8:10pm. The train then leaves Rigasa at 8:40pm to arrive Idu, Abuja at 11:05pm.
To their credit, the NRC staffs on ground makes sure that the train leaves and departs at the scheduled time making it easier for passengers to make plans and meet up with their appointments.
A mobile policeman stationed at the Rigasa station in Kaduna
To make it easier for passengers, the NRC recently announced that said it would commence Sunday train services from Abuja to Kaduna from March 26.
Interestingly, some passengers board the train just for the fun of it and to experience what it feels like, especially in a country where train services are not common.
Passengers are also orderly in the train stations
Pointing to her obviously excited son, a woman told ZENITHBLOG.com that she decided to take her children on the train ride to celebrate his birthday.
There is however fears in some quarters that the initiative might not be sustained by the government.
Passengers can also watch movies on as they embark on the journey to their destinantions
Some Nigerians are canvassing for the federal government to handover the facilities to the private sector for proper handling and maintenance.
”With the advantage of hindsight, if you look at some of the things the government of has been handling themselves, from aviation to maritime to road transport, you will see that it appears that the government could not really handle such things,” a business traveller told ZENITHBLOG.com.
Watch a visual report of this news piece below:
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