Nigerian Railway Corporation Boosts Abuja-Kaduna Train Services Amid Rising Demand
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an expansion of its Abuja-Kaduna train services, increasing weekday journeys from four to six to meet growing passenger demand. This development, revealed in a statement by Deputy Director of Public Relations Yakub Mahmood, will apply Monday through Friday, marking a significant boost for commuters on this popular corridor.
The decision follows a five-month analysis showing a 22% surge in new passengers signing up for the Abuja-Kaduna service, with the NRC attributing the rise to the comfort, safety, and reliability of train travel as Nigerians seek alternatives to road transport. The corporation, under Acting Managing Director Ben Iloanusi, noted that the additional services are part of broader efforts to improve commuter satisfaction and address persistent issues of ticket racketeering.
The NRC statement explained, “In response to customer demand and complaints of ticket racketeering, we have increased our weekday services on the Abuja-Kaduna route. This measure aims to enhance customer satisfaction and ensure a smooth experience for our valued passengers.” The NRC also urged passengers to book tickets via its official platform to avoid illicit middlemen.
The Abuja-Kaduna route expansion follows a recent service increase on the Lagos-Ibadan line, with the corporation also observing rising demand on routes such as Warri-Itakpe and Port Harcourt-Aba. These trends have spurred a national effort by the NRC to improve service capacity and efficiency across its network, with senior management now actively monitoring operations to prevent ticketing abuses.
As more Nigerians turn to rail, the NRC promises ongoing improvements and a heightened focus on user experience across its services, hoping to position rail as a preferred means of safe and reliable transit nationwide. Further details on service schedules and booking are available on the NRC website.
