TRIBUNE
The Nigerian Railway Corporation recently increased train fares from N460 to N700 flat rate for any destination between Iddo in Lagos to Kajola/Ijoko in Ogun State. In this report, TOLA ADENUBI, who boarded the train from Iddo to Ijoko, brings inside details of the riding conditions passengers are subjected to inside the train.
THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) runs mass passenger transit train from Iddo in Lagos to Kajola/Ijoko in Ogun State every day. The train which usually departs Kajola/Ijoko around 6.00 a.m. and 7.00 a.m. for Iddo, passes through areas like Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Oyingbo, before its final destination, which is Iddo. The train also returns to Ijoko/Kajola around 6.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m., loaded with passengers from Lagos.
For many who reside in Sango, Ota, Ijoko and even Agbado axis of Ogun State but work in Lagos, the train has over the years represented a cheap means of commuting between the two states.
With a little lower than N450, a resident of Ijoko, Sango or Agbado could transit from Ogun State to Lagos Island to work in the morning, using the early morning train, and also return home in the evening on the 7.00 p.m. train from Lagos Island to Ogun State with the payment of another N450, totaling about N900 in a day.
However, citing inflationary trend and the high cost of diesel to power its locomotives, the NRC recently increased train fare from N460 to N700.
For the corporation, rise in the cost of diesel was a major reason behind the increase.
While many passengers have kicked against the fare increase, many have expressed dismay over the inability of the NRC to make any changes as regards the poor facilities and conditions in the coaches.
Speaking with Saturday Tribune, a passenger onboard the train, Mr Moshood Alabi, lamented that the interior of the train, which always looks unkempt, has remained unchanged despite the fare increase.
He said: “The train’s chairs are in a deplorable condition. The roofing looks worn out. Many of the coaches lack windows and doors. So, when there is a downpour, passengers sitting by the windows or standing close to the doors get drenched.”
