By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
As part of the Federal Government palliative measures to cushion the effect of the petroleum subsidy removal, the Nigerian Railway Corporation yesterday announced that it will soon begin the Mass Transit express passenger Train service on the standard gauge.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation presently runs a 157km long shuttle between Lagos-Ibadan, on the standard gauge.
The new service being proposed will run the Apapa to Kajola route, the Deputy Director Public Affairs of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mahmud Yakub said.
It is the first inter-state mass transit shuttle, that would provide a more comfortable relief to passengers on the Mass Transit Train Service (MTTS) which the Corporation presently runs on the narrow gauge.
Quoting the Director of Operation, Akin Osinowo, the Corporation’s spokesman said the service is Code-Named Apapa express.
Osinowo, speaking on behalf of the Managing Director Engr. Fidet Okhiria, said the stopping stations for the new train service would be; Mobolaji Johnson, Agege, Agbado and Kajola, where passengers could board or disembark from the train.
He said the train service will reduce the hardship experienced by commuters especially those plying Apapa to Kajola route.
Osinowo urged passengers to always ensure that they obtain tickets at the designated stations before boarding the train.