The Federal Government is set to purchase more locomotives and coaches for Abuja-Kaduna rail route in order to accommodate large number of passengers who continue to patronise it.
Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amechi, who reacted to the high patronage, said that the number of passengers using the route was already more than the capacity of the available coaches.
He said: “From what we saw, the number of passengers boarding the rail outlives the number of coaches available. We have about four coaches that have the capacity to carry about 380 persons, but right now, more than 380 persons have been boarding those coaches.”
The minister said there was the need to buy more locomotives and coaches when the programme was properly flagged off.
It will be recalled that the minister flagged off the test-running of the project weeks ago, and it has been free ride for many moving on that corridor.
“We have hit the ground running, people are boarding to go to Kaduna free in the test-running of the project. We will start collecting money the day the president commissions the project,” said the Minister.
Amechi reaffirmed the president’s commitment in funding all rail projects in the country, adding that the date for official commissioning of the Abuja -Kaduna rail would soon be announced.
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