JERRY OCHE DEFENDS LAGOS – IBADAN TRAIN FARE CHARGES; WEEKEND TRAIN SERVICES TO COMMENCE

·         *Patronage is increasing

·         *Weekend services commence this weekend

The Lagos Railway District Manager, Jerry Oche has defended the train fares for the Lagos to Ibadan Mass Transit Train, insisting that the charges are reasonable.

“How much will be fair? How much do you think we’ll charge that would make sense? No matter how much you charge, there will still be people that will complain. A lot of people are saying trains are supposed to be the mass transit and so it should be for everybody? But again, let me ask you… Do you want us to run the train for only for one week week, one month or six months and then park the train or you want us to run a train that can sustain itself? ... People have to pay some price, reasonable". Jerry Oche asserted during an exclusive chat with RAILWAYMAN in his office at Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta on Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

The RDM also made further clarifications about the train rates by stating clearly that the train is not operating on a flat fare rate but according to the different categories of coaches which include the 24, 56, 68 and 88 seaters. He explained that the N6,000 fare rate is for the 24 seater coach, while there are also rates for the other categories of coaches. “The prices are from two thousand, five hundred to six thousand.  The reason is that we want different people to enjoy rates that are convenient to them. If you can’t do six thousand;  you do three - five; and if you can’t do three thousand - five hundred; you do two thousand - five hundred”.

He explained further that the ticket pricing is according two zones. namely: Zone 1, which is Lagos – Abeokuta;  and Zone 2,  Abeokuta – Ibadan.  Zone 2 has the cheapest rate of N600 for Abeokuta to Ibadan or the reverse direction in the 88 seater coach.   

The Lagos Railway District Manager also disclosed plans for the commencement of weekend services for the benefit of weekend travelers on the route by next weekend.

He urged members of the public, particularly those who work in Lagos but have have their families at Abeokuta or Ibadan to take advantage of the new service, which he said have come to address mobility issues between Lagos and Ibadan.

Jerry Oche, a top engineer in NRC also assured passengers of improvements on the journey time of the Diesel Multiple Unit which has the capacity to move at a speed of 150 km/ph and achieve a travel time of one hour, 30 minutes over the distance of 156 kms. He explained that the current speed of over two  hours is as  a result of on going construction activities and the several illegal level crossings affecting the train speed; and assures that the train speed shall improve over time as the track consolidates and level crossings are eliminated by the construction of over passes, under passes and pedestrian bridges.

The Ibadan - Lagos - Lagos passenger service which commenced on Monday, December 7 has a Diesel Multiple Unit, DMU train set, comprising two units of motor cars at both end as propelling units and eight passenger carriers in the middle, that include a 24 seater, one 56 seater,  one 68 seater and three 88 seater, fully air conditioned coaches, running on the new standard gauge double rail track.  It operates daily from Mondays to Fridays, departing Moniya - Ibadan at 8am and arriving Lagos at 10.17 am ; to later depart Lagos, from the Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta station at 4pm and arrive Ibadan at 6.40 pm. 

                                            Engr, Oche, District Manager, NRC Lagos


           Engr. Jerry oche, Lagos District Manager, 2nd right with Operations Director, Niyi Alli (left),               Head of  Medicals in Lagos, Dr. Asowata, and Dep Dir (Operations), Akin Osinowo (right)


Comments

  1. UnknownDecember 16, 2020 at 5:57 PM

    We are making progress.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 16, 2020 at 9:19 PM

    It is a good development. Thanks for patroitism and enthusiasm

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownDecember 16, 2020 at 11:39 PM

    Good development.
    Long live Nigerian Railway corporation.

    ReplyDelete

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