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By Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, Kaduna
As train transport service resumes today in Kaduna after 8 months of suspension due to banditry attack, security has been beefed up at the station for safe operations.
Our Correspondent reports that, although the departure of the first train at 8:00am went smoothly, some passengers missed out because they could not buy tickets via online and even at the counter.
Passengers were spotted arriving at the station as early as 6:30am to purchase tickets at the station while several others who boarded early had bought their tickets online.
The train, which has an official capacity of 664 passengers had however recorded low turn out in the first trip.
Many of the passengers who boarded the first train expressed happiness over the development, saying they had long awaited alternative means of transportation because of the bad road.
Also, there was a high number of security presence to ensure smooth operations and to also avert security breach and as well, instill confidence in the hearts of the travellers.
However, some of the passengers complained bitterly of their inability to log in their National Identification Number, NIN to access tickets.
When asked about the number of passengers who boarded the train and some of the complaints raised, the Station Manager said the figure was yet to be harmonized by the officials and declined further comments.
It can be recalled that the Nigerian government had issued a directive to the Nigerian Railway Corporation through the Ministry of Transportation to resume train service today, 5th December, 2022.
The train will, in the meantime, operate twice from Kaduna to Abuja with the first trip taking off at 8:00am and the second trip by 2:00pm.