The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that it will commence two trips daily on the Abuja- Kaduna train service from Sunday, September 13, 2020. The operations were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the Corporation is ready to resume services, following the easing of some restrictions by the government.
The NRC had suspended the operation of trains on the route since the end of March, to prevent the spread of the virus. The Corporation, however, announced on Tuesday that two daily trips will now be available to passengers starting next week.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Mr Fidet Okhiria, stated that the trains will depart the Idu train station in Abuja at 7 am and 4 pm daily, while those departing from the Rigasa train station in Kaduna will run at 10 am and 6 pm daily.
In a statement released to the media, Mr Okhiria disclosed that the resumption of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route aligns with the Federal Government’s plan to ease restrictions on inter-state travel and open the economy.
He urged passengers to comply with the newly introduced COVID-19 protocols, which include compulsory temperature checks, social distancing and the use of face masks throughout the journey.
The resumption of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route is a welcome development for passengers who have been clamouring for the restoration of train services on the route. It is expected that this new development will ease the burden of travellers who have been forced to rely on alternative means of transportation while the train services were suspended.
The NRC has assured passengers that the trains will be disinfected before and after each trip, and that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of both passengers and staff. It is hoped that the resumption of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route will help to stimulate economic activity and revive the railway sector, which has suffered due to the pandemic.
