Why the sudden increase in the Abuja-Kaduna Train fare

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) claimed that higher energy costs, particularly those for diesel, which is required to run the trains, were the driving force behind its decision to raise train fares.

In an interview conducted on Saturday in Abuja, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, the managing director of NRC, revealed this.

His explanation comes ahead of the expected start of train service between Abuja and Kaduna, which was suspended following a terrorist attack on the system in March.

The NRC executive added that while the service cannot be suspended due to high diesel costs, the price rise would be undertaken with the interests of Nigerians and other passengers at heart. He stated:

“It is better to have it operating than not operating. It is the service we are providing but in order to provide it, everybody has to make some sacrifices.

“The major cost should be the cost of diesel. Because we require diesel to operate the trains. The cost of diesel has gone up by more than three times and it is costing us to mount human and material security that it requires to keep the trains operating.

READ MORE: FG begins Installation of CCTV on Train coaches

“We need to service the infrastructure we put in place for the additional security we secured and the additional personnel that will be going up and down to assist; they need some incentives. So I think that Nigerians should bear with us. We are still working on the best way out.”

Nigerians would not be permitted to utilize the Abuja-Kaduna Train service without their National Identification Number, according to past statements made by the Nigerian government as part of steps to safeguard commuter security.