The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) said plans were underway to manage the heavy influx and reduce number of passengers that “stand on board trains on Warri-Itakpe route.”
The Coordinator, Warri Itakpe Train Service, Abdulganiyu Sanni, said in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that NRC would soon commence e-ticketing on the axis.
The coordinator said this following a series of passengers’ complaints on the Warri-Itakpe rail route.
“I am not in Agbor right now, however, it is possible to have a standing passengers on train because the sales of ticket is manual.
“This will be curtailed with the introduction of e-ticketing which will come up soon.
“The Head office has advertised for this and bids were submitted. The selection and award for the project is likely to be done this year.
“We are also making efforts to strengthen the train with additional two coaches of 88 passengers per coach. This is expected to reduce the number of passengers without seats,” Sanni added.
According to the coordinator, the coaches were already stationed in Agbor and would be added by first week of December after Mechanical check and satisfaction.
NAN reports that in spite of the complaints by passengers, there is a video clip circulating in the media where passengers along the route were seen jamparked and standing in a train heading to Kogi.
A passenger who was on board the train, Gloria Ali, expressed displeasure that passengers paid same fair to be transported to a location only for few to be sitted while a majority were standing.
“The train was full, some passengers were even standing at the door and you can imagine that everyone paid the same fair.
“This is heart breaking. And I’m sure some passengers using this medium for the first time today will have a horrible experience of the ride.
“I pray the appropriate quarters will do something as soon as possible about this situation, as it calls for serious concern” she said. (NAN)
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
