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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Travels during festive periods remaines a conerstone for successful celebrations and this year’s Eid-El-Kabir was not an exception as train passengers gave kudos to Federal and Osun state governments for offering 50% rebate on all train routes and return free train ride from Lagos to Osogbo respectively.
Both governments had respectively announced 50% rebate and free train ride from Lagos to Osogbo to ameliorate transportation cost and encourage people to travel home and celebrate with their families and loved ones.
Passengers diary
Applauding the decision to approve 50% fare discount and increase in the frequency of trains on the railway corridors, (Not Warri-Itakpe corridor) some passengers who boarded Lagos-Ibadan trains between May 26 and June 1, this year, while the rebate lasted suggested that management of Nigerian railway corporation should in future seek approval for sustained free transportation by rail.
One of the passengers, Mr. George Ibafo, said that the journey from Lagos-Ibadan was smooth while the booking/boarding process were seamless but that many could not afford to travel due to cost and late announcement of 50% discount on all rail routes.
He therefore suggested that the management should through federal ministry of transportation reintroduce free train service as part of efforts to ameliorate the harsh economic realities especially during festive periods like Sallah, Christmas and New year.
Mrs Ifeoma Nwaneri in her own contribution, said that hitherto the federal government introduced free train ride on all its train routes across the country but that the present administration changed it to 50% reduction in fares and increase in frequency of trains.
She advised the railway management to remain consistent by emulating Osun state government in the sustainance of free train ride on all its standard gauge and narrow gauge railway corridors especially during festive periods.
Another passenger, Justice Nwokolo held a contrary view, saying the previous time free train ride was introduced by government the coaches were overloaded as some passengers remained standing during the trip from Lagos-Ibadan and back.
He lamented some NRC personnel even abused the process and collected kick back from intending passengers in order to gain access due to over crowding at the train stations
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Nwokolo advised that the should be strictly monitored if at all government intends to reintroduce free train ride so that unruly passengers don’t damage the coaches under the guise enjoying free train ride
It is noteworthy that based on the special arrangement during the just celebrated Sallah, the corporation operated six train instead of the usual four trips currently operated on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.
Warri–Itakpe Train Service
However during the period under review management of NRC announced temporary suspension of Warri–Itakpe train service (WITS) due to operational exigencies and technical advice from Engineers
The temporary suspension according to a statement issued by chief public relations officer, Callistus Uyinmadu became necessary to enable the corporation carry out critical operational assessments aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor.
The NRC noted the inconvenience this development may have caused passengers and other stakeholders, assuring that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within shortest possible time.
Osun free train ride
Meanwhile, the Osun state government remained consistent with operation of its annual free Sallah train service on the NRC narrow gauge corridor for indigenes of the state who travelled home to celebrate the festival in Osogbo.
The special train which was filled to the brim departed Iddo Station, Lagos, last Tuesday, at about 10:15 am and arrived Agbado by 11:00a.m but the driver only slowed down for exchange of notes with the Station Master even as some passengers waiting to board forcefully managed to gain entry into the moving train despite the crowded doors.
The train returned to Lagos on Thursday almost empty as many passengers disembarked at regular intervals during stopovers while the journey last from Oshogbo.
The service, which is usually operated during festive periods, was sponsored by Osun state fovernment through a paid arrangement with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to convey Osun indigenes free of charge for the Sallah celebration.
