The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced special Easter train service arrangements across its corridors to accommodate increased passenger movement during the holiday period.

The NRC’s chief public relations officer, Callistus Unyimadu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

According to Mr Unyimade, as part of the Easter operations, the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS) will run three trips on Thursday, April 2, to meet the anticipated surge in passenger traffic.

“From the Lagos end (Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta), departures are scheduled for 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., while from the Ibadan end (Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya), trains will depart at 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.” he said.

The official also said the corporation would operate a special train on the narrow-gauge corridor under a partnership with the Osun State government, which had paid for the service to enable passengers to travel free of charge.

He said the train would depart Iddo Station, Lagos, on Friday for Osogbo by 10:00 a.m. and would return to Iddo from Osogbo on April 6 by 10:00 a.m.

“Meanwhile, the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) will maintain its normal schedule, with two trips on Thursdays and three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, operating morning, midday, and afternoon services between Idu and Rigasa.

“On the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor, train services operate daily except on Thursdays, which are reserved for maintenance activities to ensure safe and efficient operations.

“From Warri to Itakpe, trains run on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, departing at 8.00 a.m. prompt, while from Itakpe to Warri, services run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, departing at 12.00 noon,” he said.

Mr Unyimade said that, similarly, on the Eastern narrow-gauge corridor, the Port Harcourt-Aba train service would continue to operate on its regular schedule, with departures at 8:00 a.m. from Port Harcourt to Aba and at 3:00 p.m. from Aba to Port Harcourt.

“The management of the NRC assures passengers of its continued commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail transport services across all corridors.

“Passengers are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, arrive early at stations, and comply with all ticketing and security procedures.

“The corporation wishes all passengers a peaceful and enjoyable Easter celebration and encourages the public to continue to patronise rail transport as a safe and dependable means of travel,” he said.

(NAN)