The Warri-Itakpe Train Service will start running again tomorrow after being shut down for more than two months.
The train service not working meant that some 1,000 people who ride the rail every day had to find other ways to get around, according to The Nation.
There are 88 seats on each standard coach and 56 seats in the business class coach. There are a lot of people standing on the train, which is why the number is so high.
The development also hurt local businesses near Ujevwu Station and made it harder for cars, mainly commercial ones, to get to the area.
Three weeks after the Pan Niger Delta Forum asked the Federal Government to fix the Ujevwu-Itakpe train line, the work has started again.
On Tuesday, our correspondent went to the Ujevwu Station takeoff point in the Udu council area of Delta state and saw some workmen getting ready for the start of the trip.
Operations will start with seven coaches, six of which are normal class and one of which is business class.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), apologized for the problems caused by the suspension and promised train customers and stakeholders that the NRC will “renew its commitment to safe, reliable, and efficient rail services.”
Callistus Unyimadu, the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, signed a statement on Saturday announcing the resumption. It said that the “temporary suspension was necessary to carry out critical repairs, maintenance, and system checks on the track and rolling stock to ensure the comfort, reliability, and safety of passengers.”
One of the workers, who noted that the primary restart activities were easier to see at the main station in Agbor (Owa Oyibu), Ika North, said, “We have always been here; the train service just stopped.” But we are ready to start up again and take passengers starting tomorrow.
The crew said that tickets were no longer available at the stations, but may be booked on the service portal, which opened on Monday, before the service started up again.
Even though the train wasn’t there when they visited, they found out that it will come tonight.
At the time of the visit, some women were observed sweeping the front of the station. At the same time, small business owners were putting up their trade tables and showing off their wares surrounding the entrance.
As of press time, attempts to gain remarks from the Public Relations Officer at the Agbor Main Station were unsuccessful.
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