NRC Cuts Abuja-Kaduna Train Services, Sparks Ticket Crisis

The Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) has significantly reduced operations on the Abuja-Kaduna railway route from five trips daily to just one, resulting in a competitive environment for limited tickets amid allegations of black-market racketeering. There are no services on Wednesdays for maintenance, which has raised concerns among commuters and led to substantial revenue losses for the NRC.

The reduction in service is reportedly due to a mechanical fault in one of the two locomotives servicing the route. Passengers struggle to obtain tickets through both online and over-the-counter channels, leading to long queues and exploitation by railway staff.

Tickets that officially cost between N3,500 and N4,000 are being resold for N5,000 to N10,000 on the black market. Additionally, passengers without valid tickets face pressure from staff to pay cash to avoid penalties, raising security concerns as it allows potential criminals to board trains without proper documentation.