Abuja-Kaduna rail services will resume on July 29 with an increased fare. Prices have doubled to ₦3,000 for the economy class, ₦5,000 (business) and ₦6,000 (VIP). Trains will operate at 50% capacity to observe distancing.
The disclosure was made by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, during an inspection tour and test run of the 10 newly acquired coaches and 2 locomotives deployed on the Abuja to Kaduna rail corridor.
Nigeria’s transport minister said the increase was necessary to cover the running cost of operations which is ₦120 million per month.
According to the Transport Minister, “In a month (pre-COVID-19), we get about N120 million, and if we run like this (half capacity), we will realize N60 million. It means that we need another N60 million to complete the running cost.”
‘’It is, therefore for the above reason that the rates have been increased as follows: First class, N6,000, Business Class, N5,000 and Economy, N3,000 to enable Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) meet up at least with the running cost.’’
Amaechi also revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved an increase in train fares due to the fact that the train will now be conveying half its capacity in order to maintain social distancing.
Abuja-Kaduna train service will resume operations on Wednesday.
We just conducted inspection of the new coaches on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. Social distancing is set as the new normal with end to end sitting arrangement. pic.twitter.com/TtTrx0vCdO
— Chibuike.R. Amaechi (@ChibuikeAmaechi) July 25, 2020
