Abuja metro train
President Muhammadu Buhari on July 12 commissioned the light rail
at the new train station in Abuja. The rail line, he said, is the first
phase of the rail line which will cover 12 other stations within Abuja.
Mr Buhari said the project was in line with the Change Agenda of
the government to ensure prudence in the management of public resources
as well as value for money.
While hoping that a modern rail service would boost the economy and
enhance social life, he said the commissioning of the railway was
evidence that the federal government was delivering on its promises.
According to the Minister of the FCT, Musa Bello, the Abuja rail is divided into six lots with a total length of 290km.
These are:
“Lot 1: From Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway through the Transportation Centre (Metro Station) via Gwagwa to Kubwa;
“Lot 2:From Gwagwa via Transportation Centre (Metro Station) to Nyanya/Karu;
“Lot 3:From Transportation Centre via Idu Industrial Zone to Nanmadi Azikwe International Airport;
“Lot 4:From Kuje Satellite town to Karshi Satellite town with the remaining legs of the Transit way line 2;
“Lot 5:From Kubwa via Bwari to Suleja and
"Lot 6: From Airport via Kuje and Gwagwalada to Dobi,’’ he explained.
The timetable
Two days after the light rail was launched, PREMIUM TIMES visited the station but was greeted by an empty, serene station.
“You cannot board a train till Monday,” a man who asked to be called an official told this reporter after she asked why the place was empty. “You can only go in and take a look, and maybe take pictures,” he added.
Upon gaining entrance into the station, the reporter was greeted by
some “overly friendly” security officials who smiled at the reporter.
“You’re welcome ma. You look so beautiful this afternoon. How may I help you?”, Sani the security official asked the reporter after carrying out a thorough search .
After a little explanation, Mr Sani explained that full operations
will start on Monday. He told the reporter that the train goes from base
to Idu and then to the airport “for now”, contrary to the minister’s
explanation.
Noticing the disappointment on the reporter’s face, he announced
that the rides are free for the month of July. “Another reason why you
should come back on Monday,” he said smiling widely again.
Monday: ready for a ride
By 12:17 p.m on Monday, this reporter arrived at the station, ready
for a ride and quietly hoping there would not be negative stories.
This time, there was more life inside the station. More people, two
armed army officers and ticketing officer present, all dressed in green
and yellow.
First contact was a supervisor who refused to give out his name. Mr
‘supervisor’ who was wearing an FCTA ID card, presented the station’s
timetable and it was as Sani said, from Abuja Metro Station to Idu and
then to the airport.
He explained that the trains being used are locomotives and that
“they” were waiting for “diesel engines”. He added that the kind of
trains being used limits the number of trips made by each train per day.
“For now, this is how we operate,” he said, pointing at the timetable.
While waiting for the next available train which was scheduled for
2:30p.m, the reporter wondered why the place was still empty as she
could literally count the number of passengers waiting for the train.
And they were not up to 20.
“Dear passengers, in order to save time, please buy tickets at
the tickets vending machine with less people or the ticket office. Thank
you for your cooperation,” a voice with an American accent announced over the speakers.;obviously a programmed announcement as the ride was still free.
Few minutes past 2 p.m, however, people began to troop into the
station as though they just closed from a crusade and directed to the
station for lunch or something.
Of course, it was a free ride. What was I expecting?
The ride; not what was expected
With a very loud noise, the train announced its arrival and in a
very decent and orderly manner, passengers queued up, had their tickets
pierced and directed to the train.
It was a beautiful train, painted with blue and ash colours and operated by some Chinese personnel.
The train took off at exactly 2:30 p.m. Perfect timing!
The interior of the train was beautiful as well. Very bright and air-conditioned.
The train was filled with so many excited passengers, some of whom
confessed to being on a train for the first time. Almost everyone on
board saw the ride as an opportunity to take pictures, which they did.
Many had expectations, including the reporter. Expectations like, high speed and excellent services but that was not the case.
No restroom? No attendants?
Expectations were cut short when the locomotive train maintained
the same speed five to ten minutes after take-off. A passenger next to
me put the speed at 20-30km per hour.
That was the first disappointment.
“Why is this slow? Are they still working on it? Why would Buhari
commission it if it’s not properly functioning?”, a passenger quipped.
This reporter looked around to find an operator to answer these
questions and hence the second disappointment. There was no attendant in
sight.
It was time to use the convenience and since there was no attendant
to ask for directions, the reporter strolled around the train to look
for the rest room and only discovered the third disappointment. No
toilet.
While having to deal with the “majestic” movement of the train,
absence of attendants and restrooms, the reporter as well as other
passengers comforted themselves with the sight of some Abuja residents
waving at the train as it crawled past their neighbourhood.
Twenty minutes later, the train stopped at Idu Station and the
announcement that followed was not only in pidgin English but sounded
confused as well, to the greatest surprise of everyone.
“We do reach Idu Station. Prepare to alight” and after a few seconds, followed, “You say wetin….”
Five minutes later, the train resumed crawling.
Passengers react
A passenger who asked to be anonymous had nothing but complaints about the ride.
She refused to praise the federal government for launching the light rail as she believed it should have been done “20-50 years ago.”
“We are very late. Its not something we should celebrate. Also
the train is too slow, you cant go to work with it. You can’t catch up
with your flight with this. They need faster timing and more stops too,” she said.
When asked to rate the treatment given to her by the attendants, she said, “This is still a promo. They just started so everyone is being nice. I can’t say anything for now.”
She also urged the management of the station to release the travel rates for each ride.
Another passenger, David Sule, welcomed the development as he said said he finds it comfortable.
He, however, complained that it was too slow and that the perimeter
fences around the rail tracks was too short. He called for more
security checks and thorough screening in order to ensure the safety of
passengers.
Another passenger, who wanted to talk off record, said he likes the
ride but will give the credit to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo
and Goodluck Jonathan. He said Mr Buhari just commissioned it “because
of election.”
Like the others, he complained of the speed of the train and said
he cannot judge the attendants yet “because they just started.”
The train got to the airport at about 3:14p.m and 90 per cent of
the passengers had nothing but complaints mainly about the speed of the
train.
At the airport station, the security officials who said they were
the ones to be questioned, were too busy to respond to questions.
Officials Apologise
Arriving at the Abuja Metro Stations again, this reporter
complained to some ticketing officers (as they were the only ones
available to talk) about her experience on the train.
The girl apologised and said there was supposed to be at least two
attendants on the train. She was, however not sure if there was a toilet
on the train. She further said the management will place a suggestion
box for people with complaints.
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Source: PREMIUM TIMES
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