Abuja-Kaduna Train Service to Resume Operations on October 1 After Maintenance Schedule Announcement

Abuja: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has revealed plans to resume passenger operations on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) starting Wednesday, October 1. The announcement was made by the NRC's Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, through a statement issued in Lagos, emphasizing that every Wednesday will now be dedicated to maintenance activities on the AKTS. According to News Agency of Nigeria, the commercial operations will restart following the successful completion of safety, technical, and operational checks. Callistus Unyimadu stressed that this initiative underscores the NRC's commitment to ensuring smooth, reliable, and secure train services for its passengers. Unyimadu highlighted that after the incident on August 26, efforts were made to contact 530 out of the 583 passengers on board, resulting in refunds for 512 individuals. Additionally, all 22 passengers who sustained injuries were reached, and many were visited by the NRC's medical team. These injured passengers wil l benefit from one complimentary ride each week until December 31. Furthermore, Unyimadu stated that all 618 passengers involved in the August 26 accident would receive one free ride before December 31. The newly announced AKTS timetable lists departures from Abuja-Kaduna, IDU at 8.45 a.m., Kubwa at 9.05 a.m., and arrivals in Rigassa at 12.42 p.m. For the return journey from Kaduna to Abuja, trains will depart Rigassa at 2.30 p.m., arriving at Kubwa by 6.02 p.m., and IDU by 6.23 p.m. Unyimadu expressed gratitude for the patience shown by passengers during the suspension period and reaffirmed the NRC's dedication to delivering safe, reliable, affordable, and customer-friendly train services nationwide.