Free Ride: Lagos-Ibadan Train Record Only Six Passengers In Two Trips

The free train ride project announced by the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has reportedly recorded six passengers on board in two separate trips.

The project was declared by the former Governor of Rivers State on Saturday after a test-run of the train from Iju in Lagos to Ibadan, Oyo state where the 157-kilometre project terminates.

The government commenced operations on the Iju-Ibadan axis where rail tracks have been completed while finishing touches are being put on the stations.

Fidet Okhira, the managing director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, revealed that two luxury coaches would be deployed on the standard gauge daily.

He further stated that due to limited space, only about 60 to 80 passengers will benefit from the free ride project based on a first-come, first-served.

According to Daily Trust, since the free ride commenced, only six passengers used the free train service.

Two passengers boarded the free ride on Monday from Lagos around 4 pm while the train arrived Iju on Tuesday with just four passengers, making only six passengers who have so far taken advantage of the free ride.

An NRC official who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that the Corporation is optimistic that more passengers would turn up before the week runs out.