Warri- Itakpe Train Service to manage passengers influx

Mr Abdulganiyu Sanni, Coordinator, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) says Warri Itakpe Train Service says plans are underway to manage the heavy influx and reduce number of passengers that stand on board trains along Warri Itakpe route. Sanni, in an interview said the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) would soon commence e-ticketing along the axis.

The coordinator said this following series of passengers complaints along the Warri-Itakpe rail route. He said that he was not in Agbor, however, it is possible to have a standing passengers on train because the sales of ticket is manual. This would be curtailed with the introduction of e-ticketing which will come up soon. The Head office has advertised and bids were submitted. The selection and award for the project is likely to be done this year.

Sanni added that they are also making efforts to strengthen the train with additional two coaches of 88 passengers per coach. This is expected to reduce the number of passengers without seats. According to the coordinator, the coaches are already stationed in Agbor and will be added by first week of December after Mechanical check and satisfaction. Supreme reports that in spite of the complaints by passengers, there is a video clip circulating in the media where passengers along the route were seen jamparked and standing in a train heading to Kogi.

A passenger who was on board the train, Gloria Ali, expressed displeasure that passengers paid same fair to be transported to a location only for few to be sited while a majority were standing. She said the train was full, some passengers were even standing at the door and they also paid the same fair. It is heart breaking. And she is sure some passengers using the medium for the first time today will have a horrible experience of the ride. She prayed that the appropriate quarters will do something as soon as possible about the situation, as it calls for serious concern.