The Nigerian Railway Corporation has increased the number of train shuttles on the Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six from Monday to Friday.
A statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Yakub Mahmood, who disclosed in a news update, said the expansion is aimed at meeting the growing demand for train services on the route.
The corporation said the decision followed a five-month trend analysis which showed a 22 per cent rise in the number of passengers buying the tickets online on the Abuja-Kaduna route.
According to the statement, the growth reflects a rise in the number of Nigerians who preferred train services as a mode of transportation due to its comfort, reliability, and safety.
He highlighted the corporation’s commitment to improving customer satisfaction and addressing complaints of ticket racketeering.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation, in reaffirming its commitment to responding to customer demands, improving customer satisfaction and tackling complaints of ticket racketeering, has increased the number of train services from four to six from Friday to Monday, when demand tends to peak on its AKTS Route.
Mr. Ben Iloanusi, the NRC Ag. Managing Director, said: “trend analysis in the last five months revealed a significant increase of 22 per cent in the number of new passengers registering on the ticket platform to use the Abuja-Kaduna Service trend analysis over five months revealed a significant increase of 22 per cent in the number of new passengers registering on the ticket platform to use the Abuja-Kaduna Service, signifying a surge in the number of Nigerians turning to the use of train services as a comfortable, reliable and safe option of commuting.”
He noted that similar trends have been established on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Port Harcourt-Aba routes, adding that efforts are ongoing to equally increase the number of services on the routes.
“NRC has observed similar trends on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and on the Port Harcourt-Aba narrow gauge routes, and efforts are ongoing to beef up services along these routes as well.
“The Ag. MD assured Nigerians of the increased presence of Senior Management of NRC across all the train service routes to drive continuous efficiency and tackle the issue of ticket racketeering head-on.
“Our valued customers are encouraged to use NRC ticket platforms online to take advantage of the increased services and shun patronage of ticket racketeers.
“Additional information can be obtained from the NRC website – www.nrc.gov.ng,” it added.
The introduction of additional train trips on the Abuja-Kaduna rail route closely follows the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s recent expansion of services on the Lagos-Ibadan route.
This adjustment, aimed at accommodating increased passenger demand, includes extra trips on Fridays and Saturdays to provide more flexible travel options.