Nigerians have expressed mixed feelings following the resumption of train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route on Monday.
While some argued that taking the train is the most practical and secure mode of transportation, at least while terrorists and bandits are still terrorising people who travel by car, others expressed concern that rail travel is expensive, slow, and vulnerable to all kinds of criminal attack.
The resumption of the Kaduna-Abuja train service on Tuesday excited passengers at Risa train station in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, but the increase in ticket prices by the Nigerian Railway Corporation limited their options.
In order to prevent a repeat of previous incidents, security was seen to be tighter as more personnel were deployed to the station.
Hundreds of passengers swarmed the Rigasa rail station, attempting to board trains to their destinations.
Estate agent Alhaji Ibrahim Musa told newsmen on Tuesday at the Rigasa station that the train service is more comfortable at least.
He asserted that they only require prayers for longevity because the federal government has put security personnel in place to deter criminal activity.
Hajia Salamatu Danielle, who stated her intention to travel to Abuja, claimed that because there are more security personnel on the ground, she is no longer concerned about being attacked by criminals or terrorists.
She claims that she prefers train service to driving because anything can happen on the way.
In order to accommodate more people who plan to travel over the holiday season, she urged the NRC to lower the transportation fare.
However, Mallam Nasir Idris said the slow pace at which trains move would not suit his travel to Abuja for work and return the same day.
According to him, he works in Abuja, returns to Kaduna every evening the same day.
He further expressed fear over ticket fares, adding that in most cases, he gets roadside vehicles at N1,000 to Abuja.
Mrs. James Alice said the federal government should have compensated them in the first week of train services since passengers were victims of bandits attack on March 28, 2022.
According to her, even if the federal government had muted the ideas of increasing transportation fare, they could have allowed passengers to enjoy the service for at least two weeks, or reduced the fare to the barest minimum.
She noted that the increase might be to recover what they have lost since the train was suspended.
Ali Danjuma, a shoemaker who said he has been traveling by train for a very long time, asked Nigerians to stop comparing train service with road or air transportation.
According to him, the comfortability that accompanies train service is not found using road or air service, as train can stop at every station, while train business passengers can render services, other passengers can buy whatever they need while the cost of transportation can still be affordable.
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