Railway Chief Urges Free Train Ride

The Lagos Railway District Manager (RDM), Mr Paul Ndibe, has
called on state governments to emulate the Osun Government by providing free
train ride at festive periods.

Ndibe, in an interview with newsmen advised other state
governors to take a cue from Gov. Rauf Aregbesola by getting involved in the
programme when the Eastern lines commenced operation.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) official said that
Aregbesola began the free train ride to Osun-bound commuters during the 2011
Eid –el-Kabir festival.

“The free ride in the train has availed many people the
opportunity to travel to their villages with their families, and carry as much
property as they wanted.

“You can see parents travelling with their children, and
carrying bags of rice, big mattresses, drums, gas cookers and cylinders as well
as other household utensils that may be damaged, when squeezed in public buses,
even at exorbitant fares.”

Reports say that the train left the Iddo terminus at 9:45
a.m half filled on Friday, to accommodate other passengers at Agege and Ijoko;
while another train left for Osun on Saturday.

Of the 12 coaches on the Osun trip, only one was used for
loading the goods to avoid overcrowding.

Some of the travellers commended Gov. Aregbesola’s gesture,
which availed them the opportunity to travel with members of their families.

A housewife, Mrs Abeni Adisa, said the free train ride had
enabled her to travel with her children.