NRC rolls out Easter rail plan

In a statement yesterday, the corporation said the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS) would operate three trips to ease congestion on one of the country’s busiest intercity rail routes.

It said departures from Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta, are scheduled for 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4 p.m., while services from Obafemi Awolowo Station, Moniya in Ibadan, will run at 8 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.

The NRC also confirmed a special narrow-gauge service to Osun State, fully funded by the state government, with passengers travelling at no cost. The train will depart Iddo Station in Lagos for Osogbo at 10 a.m. on April 3 and return at the same time on April 6.

The move is part of efforts to make rail a more practical option during busy travel periods, when roads are often congested and safety becomes a concern.

On the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, the NRC said services would run without disruption.

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The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) will maintain two trips on Thursdays and three daily trips from Friday through Monday, spanning morning, mid-day, and afternoon departures between Idu and Rigasa.

Operations on the Warri-Itakpe line will also continue under the existing timetable, with services running six days a week and Thursdays reserved for maintenance.

Trains from Warri to Itakpe will depart at 8 a.m. on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, while return journeys from Itakpe to Warri will run at 12 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.

On the Eastern corridor, the Port Harcourt-Aba service will sustain its regular schedule, departing Port Harcourt at 8 a.m. and Aba at 3 p.m.

The NRC said the Easter arrangements were designed to ensure smoother passenger flow while maintaining safety and service reliability across all corridors.