Nigerians yearn for new Lagos-Ibadan train but seek fares slash

Following the announcement by the Federal Government to commence the new Lagos-Ibadan train operation, many Nigerians are looking forward to the new experience.

Even as many express the desire for the train that will be running on standard gauge rail with modern, state-of-the-art coaches devoid of gridlock, they want the Federal Government to reduce the fare from N3,000-N6,000 to N1,500-N3,000.

Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi on Friday said the tickets for the route would be N3,000 for Economy Class, N5,000 for Business Class and N6,000 for First Class.

An Ilorin-based Alhaji Abdulfatai Baba who frequently visits Lagos to see his family said he could wait to experience the new train, “at least this will enable to avoid the sickening traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.”

The businessman added, “I can now travel with comfort every weekend to see my wife and children living in Lagos. I wish this service can quickly be extended to my base in Ilorin, Kwara State.”

He, however, said the fare was too high compared to the N1,000 to N1,500 being charged by road transporters for a trip from Lagos to Ibadan.

“I wish the government can reduce the fares by half,” he said.

The minister had said the Federal Government would apply the same template being used on the Abuja-Kaduna route.

Other people reacting to the issue on Twitter urged the Federal Government to consider fare slash, as they argued that the Abuja-Kaduna route is longer than the Lagos-Ibadan, and that the former is used mostly by top politicians and big businesspeople.

A twitter user, Ikechukwu, with the twitter handle @iykimo, asked: “Isn’t rail transport the cheapest anymore?

Another Twitter user, AkureCityHunter, with the handle @AkureCityHunter, said, “I will pay N3k from Lagos to Ibadan and I’d still be in the economy? Well, that economy better have a PS5, free Netflix and some KFC delicacies.”

According to @AdorableProduct, the journey costs between N2,000 and N2,500 for a car carrying three passengers, while park and pick is N1,000; a 14-seater passenger bus is N1,500, while an 18-seater bus collects between N700 and N1000.

One commentator, using @Naija_PR, said, “How can rail transport cost N3,000 from Lagos to Ibadan? Who are the people advising these ogas? Your closest competitor is road transport. Why can’t they cut this price by half? Half the price and you are in business.”