Updated: UNILORIN to build, operate train, electric bus services

UNILORIN to build, operate train, electric bus services 

The University of Ilorin has announced plans to introduce train and electric bus services to tackle transportation challenges in the institution.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), announced this during an interactive session with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, adding that the electric bus would be assembled locally.

He said the institution would also introduce train services to ease the transportation challenges being faced by students and members of staff.

Egbewole, who broke his fast with the newsmen, said that the institution was determined to resolve the transportation challenge once and for all.

“Aside from the effort which the institution is making on the railway transportation, we are also looking at electric bus transportation. The good thing about it is that this is home-grown as few of our colleagues in the Department of Electrical Engineering are already working on that model and because we just released the Senate research grant; we are hoping that part of the grant will be used to work on that model,” Egbewole stated.

He added that in the interim, more buses would be injected into the university transportation system, adding that discussions had been held with some of investors that intend to introduce more buses on the road.

“Transportation problem has reduced because we have created, at least, within our campus and the university gate, a smooth ride. We are also looking at the government of Kwara State concluding the ongoing Tanke bridge project which we hope would further reduce the transportation challenge,” he stated