Nigeria doubles fares as train services resume

Nigeria Railway Corporation has announced the resumption of services on its Abuja-Kaduna route, four months since it was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Transport minister Rotimi Amaechi said fares have been increased because trains will carry fewer passengers.

He said the increment was “nothing compared to the risk of paying ransom to kidnappers” on the Abuja-Kaduna road.

Fares for the economy class will rise to about 3,000 Naira ($8, £6), while first class could cost 6,000 Naira for the 187km (116 miles) trip, according to local media reports.

The services will resume on Wednesday with social distancing enforced to prevent the spread of the virus.

The railway company has shared a video of the new sitting arrangement:

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Abuja-Kaduna train service will resume operations on Wednesday.

We just conducted inspection of the new coaches on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line. Social distancing is set as the new normal with end to end sitting arrangement. – @ChibuikeAmaechi

pic.twitter.com/ELtKQbIinS

— NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION (@Official_NRC) July 26, 2020

-BBC