The Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) will get additional coaches, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has said.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Coordinator of the WITS, Abdulganiyu Sanni made this known on Friday, while also confirming that the NRC would soon commence e-ticketing along the axis
He said this was part of plans to manage the heavy influx of passengers and reduce the number of passengers that stand on board trains along the Warri-Itakpe route.
Sanni made these known, following a series of passengers’ complaints along the Warri-Itakpe rail route.
“I am not in Agbor right now, however, it is possible to have standing passengers on the train because the sales of ticket is manual. This will be curtailed with the introduction of e-ticketing which will come up soon.
“The Head office has advertised for this and bids were submitted. The selection and award for the project is likely to be done this year.
“We are also making efforts to strengthen the train with additional two coaches of 88 passengers per coach. This is expected to reduce the number of passengers without seats,” Sanni said.
According to the coordinator, the coaches are already stationed in Agbor and will be added by the first week of December after mechanical check and satisfaction.
In spite of the complaints by passengers, there is a video clip circulating in the media where passengers along the route were seen jam packed and standing in a train heading to Kogi.
A passenger who was on board the train, Gloria Ali, expressed displeasure that passengers paid the same fare to be transported to a location only for a few to be seated while a majority were standing.
“The train was full, some passengers were even standing at the door and you can imagine that everyone paid the same fare.
“This is heartbreaking. And I’m sure some passengers using this medium for the first time today will have a horrible experience of the ride.
“I pray the appropriate quarters will do something as soon as possible about this situation, as it calls for serious concern,” she said.