Abuja-Kaduna Rail Service Resumes As FG Implements Fair Hike 

The Federal Government on Wednesday implemented the upward review of  transport cost at the Abuja/ Kaduna railway service as operation resumes after months of closure.

Rail service operations were suspended by the government to curb the spread of Covid- 19.

However on resumption following pressure from Nigerians travelling to participate in the Eid-el Kabir celebration, the government increased fares to N3,000 for economy, while Business class cost N6000.

Nigeria’s Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, had while speaking on the development said the increase was to help the country’s railway transport remain in business.

He said, “The rates have been increased as follows: First class, N6,000, Business Class, N5,000 and Economy, N3,000 to enable Nigeria Railway Corporation meet up at least with the running cost.’’

Explaining the reason for the increase Amaechi said, “In a month (pre-COVID-19), we get about N120m, and if we run like this (half capacity), we will realize N60m. It means that we need another N60m to complete the running cost.” 
 

Recall that prior to the lockdown, passenger capacity for  the economy class was 88, while the business class was 56.

Following the social distance guideline, the number has been reduced to 52 and 28, for economy and business classes respectively.