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Nigerians have described the move to increase the train fares by 100% for the Abuja to Kaduna service, as “unreasonable and insensitive.”
The Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, had on Saturday while inspecting construction work on the Ikapke to Warri rail line announced the increment as part of conditions for the trains to resume operation owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A former lawmaker for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, in a tweet on Monday said the increase in fares was unjust, unfair, and insensitive.
Sani said
The policy was insensitive because many Nigerians are suffering already due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He also advised the transportation minister to make things easier for the people..
He said,
“To the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, and the ministry, 100% increase in train fare is unjust, unfair, soulless and insensitive.
“Make things easier for the people when you are on top of the rock of power, you will meet with them when you are back to the base of life.”
Abdullahi Musa, described the increment as unreasonable and insensitive, saying it would worsen the plight of Nigerians.
He said,
“The decision is not in the interest of the masses at this critical time when COVID-19 has grounded the entire economy.
“It has shown that this government does not have respect for the citizens. So they want to push us back to the road for kidnappers to kill us?”
Its said that before the coronavirus lock down to prevent disease spread , travellers paid N3,000 for first-class express trips, while the usual first-class trip was N2,500. The ticket for the express economy trip was N1, 500 while the general economy trip ticket cost N1, 300.
Furthermore Minister of Transport, Chibuike Amaechi, explained that the reason behind the increment was that the coach previously carried 88 passengers, but when they resume the service, the coach would be taking just 40 passengers.
He said, “Previously, a coach carried 88 passengers, but when we resume the service, a coach will carry just 40 passengers.”
“Passengers must have hand sanitizers and wear face masks at all times during the duration of the train ride.”
