The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has said there will be an increase in the rail service fare on the Abuja-Kaduna Passenger Train Service as a result of the economic situation in the country.
According to Mr Sambo, the number of trips per day on the route will also be reduced while also adding that Service will resume on the route within the next Seven days.
He added that there will be no night travelling on the route for now.
The Minister of Transportation made this disclosure in an interaction with journalists on Sunday in Kaduna while inspecting the train station and the level of preparedness for the resumption of service.
He disclosed that “The number of trips will be reduced, naturally, you should expect that a certain number of passengers will not be comfortable boarding the train for obvious reasons.”
Going Further, Mr Sambo said that the number of trips per day will be increased as the travelling population on the route has increased.
“We are human beings, we are bound to feel a little bit uncomfortable until we can see that every security measure has been put in place. So, we will reduce the number of trips and as the travelling population picks up, we will increase the number of trips but we will certainly not travel at night for now.
“Please, expect an increase in fares. I am having final consultation with the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the management of the ministry to see whether it will be immediate or we will take a little time.
“We all know that prices of things have gone up, even airfares have gone up and we have not heard anybody cry about it. Why is it that it’s only when it is train fares that people are reactive? I can assure you that the poor masses will be taken care of and considered because we are a very sensitive government.”
He also disclosed that the Federal Government has extended the resumption date for the Abuja-Kaduna Passenger Train Service.
He said the Service will resume within the next seven days but was not specific on which date.
The Abuja-Kaduna Passenger Train Service was shut down following the March 28th Terror attack on the rail line that resulted in the immediate death of 8 Passengers with several Others injured and Dozens abducted.
The last fo abductees were released in October while several Others had been released earlier after payment of various sums of money as ransom.
