FG Announces Free Train Ride On Lagos-Ibadan Rail Line From Nov 30 To March 2020 (Photos)

0

The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has declared that there will free rides on the Lagos-Ibadan rail line during the forthcoming festive season.

The take-off point will be from Iju, Lagos State to Ibadan, Oyo State.

The minister confirmed this by a tweet from his twitter handle @ChibuikeAmaechi, as stated below:

“Our free rides on the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line will begin today and run through March 2020. Commuters on that route can take advantage of it and save on transportation during the festive season & beyond. Let’s ride to the Next Level”

At the end of the free ride, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) would commence commercial operation on the fast train while the construction work continues.

The China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC), the contractor handling the project, had since completed the track laying from Iju to Ibadan end of the project. It has now further extended track laying inwards Lagos to Fagba as it approaches Ibadan.

Amaechi alongside officials from the Ministry, the Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria rode from Fagba, in Lagos, to Ologuneru, Moniya, which is Kilometre 154, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The MD said the corporation and the contractor would release the modalities for the takeoff of the free train ride.

He said two luxury coaches would be deployed on the standard gauge daily, adding that because of the limited space, only about 60 to 80 people will be able to benefit from the free ride on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Because of the limited spaces the free train ride will be on a first come first serve basis and this is how we would run till December 19. From December 21 as directed by the Minister, we would be running service return service daily and this is how we would operate till April when we are expected to begin full commercial operation on this corridor in line with the ministerial directive,” Okhiria said.