By John Ikani
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the Abuja-Kaduna train services would commence on Monday, December 5, 2022.
Managing-Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria made the announcement on Thursday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Okhiria who assured that all was now set for the resumption of the rail services, advised passengers to begin updating their mobile apps as from December 3, 2022, to enable them to successfully book for rides.
He noted that services will commence with two train rides from Abuja to Kaduna and vice versa.
“AK1 will depart Idu station at 9:45hrs and arrive Rigasa station at 11:53hrs,” Okhiria said.
“KA 2 will depart Rigasa at 8:00hrs and arrive Idu station at 10:17hrs.
“AK 3 will depart Idu Station at 15:30hrs and arrive Rigasa Station at 17:38hrs.
“And KA 4 will depart Rigasa at 14:00hrs and arrive Idu Station at 16:07hrs.
While assuring passengers of their safety along the route, he explained that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring safety of lives and properties on board its train at all times.
Earlier, the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, during the test-run of the train on Sunday directed that Nigerians without a National Identification Number would not be allowed to board the train.
“Your purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a national identification number in order to profile, because that is the beginning of the security checks.
“So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another we know who and who are on board.
“If you don’t have a NIN, you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that.
“If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors,” Sambo said.
