1,500 Commuters Enjoy Aregbesola’s Free Train Ride To Oshogbo

No fewer than 1,500 commuters last Tuesday left Lagos for Oshogbo with the Inter-City Mass Transit Train of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), on a free ride to celebrate the New Year.

The Tide learnt that the free ride was made possible by the Osun Government, in collaboration with the NRC.

The NRC also operated a normal train service ride of about 1,500 passengers which left Lagos for Ilorin on Tuesday, with fee-paying passengers.

The Oshogbo-bound train, popularly tagged ‘the Omoluabi Train’, departed at about 9.00 a.m., while the Ilorin-bound train left at about 11.00 a.m., each consisting of 10 coaches.

Speaking on the Osun free train ride, the Railway’s District Manager (RDM), Mr Akin Osinowo, said that the turnout of the beneficiaries was impressive.

Osinowo told our correspondent that the train going to Oshogbo was fully loaded from the departure point at the Iddo Station, while many people still boarded the train at other stations.

“I could see a great enthusiasm in the people; we experienced the same level of patronage as we did during the Christmas free train ride, which was also sponsored by the same government.

“It has become a normal festive occasion. It is usually fully patronised and people are always eager and anxious to join the train.

“In fact, during the Ileya festival, we had to run additional train services for the government following the huge number of people that patronised the service, “ he said.

Osinowo said, “I am happy to say that we have improved on the last train services, in terms of timing; we took off at the normal time.’’

The manager appreciated the Osun Government for the good gesture toward the indigenes and urged governors of other states on the rail corridor to follow suit.

Some of the commuters who benefitted from the free train service applauded Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the gesture.

A beneficiary of the free ride, Mrs Yetunde Akinlaja said, “only a masses-oriented government can be doing this yearly, without getting tired’’.

According to her, I think this is one of the best ways to enjoy a government.

Another beneficiary of the free train ride, Miss Seun Adebayo, said that she was very excited when she heard the information about the free train service.

“I am boarding a train for the first time in my life; I so much appreciate the governor for this kind gesture.

“I cannot really say how much it will cost me if I had to travel by road with this load of mine. We want to urge the governor to continue, “ she said.