The federal government through the Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) has increased passenger train fares on the Standard Gauge Railway Line from Lagos to Ibadan and Abuja to Kaduna from N6,500 in the business class to N9,000.
According to an internal memo dated November 30, way corridor, has been increased from N5,000 to N6,5000 while 88-seater coach now attracts N3,600 as against N2,5000.
According to the memo signed by Director, Operations, (marketing and commercial), Ebute-Metta, Ola Adeeinwo, Lagos to Abeokuta, now costs N6,000 on a 24-seater coach, N4,500 for a 56/68-seater coach, N3,000 for a 88-seater coach.
Minors are expected to pay N3,000 from Lagos to Ibadan, N2,00 from Lagos to Abeokuta and N600 from Abeokuta to Ibadan.
Other routes affected are: Ujewvu-Uromi- 56-seater-N5,500, 88-seater-N2,500, Uromi to Itakpe-56-seater coach attracts and N4,000, 88-seater N2,500, while minors are expected to pay N2,500 from Ujewvu-Itakpe-N2,500, Ujewvu-Uromi-N1,500 and Uromi-Itakpe-1,500.
Passengers are also expected to pay N6,500 and N3,000 for the 56/68 seated coach and 88-seater coach to board the Abuja Kaduna passenger train while minors noe pay N3,000.
Meanwhile, passengers have continued to lament over the sudden increase saying railway operation is supposed to be a social service that should be subsidized.