The Train Expedition, Abuja To Kaduna

It was on the 5th day of August, 2016 when I and some colleagues decided to test the train recently commissioned by the President. While the train was scheduled to leave 14:20, at exactly 13:48 when we got in the departure terminal a little below 100 people were patiently waiting for the train. The number kept increasing with time.

At the entrance were security agents (five in number) - two soldiers, a police, a man and a lady (not in uniform), all conducting physical search into luggages'. I was wondering why security equipment such as baggage scanners and walk through detectors were not taken into consideration for such an important place that will host a large crowd.

A very neat environment is the hall, cleaning kept going on, especially for the toilets area. Provision is made for prayers to male and female passengers and another in the office area obviously for staffers. Although as the crowd kept increasing, the ventilation was becoming a bit uncomfortable for only standing fans were observed working.

The queue was a bit long with just one person attending to ticket buyers, until a request was placed to her colleague for assistance. He eventually assigned someone to the task. The economy ticket sold for N600 as against N500 said by the minister of transport. The executive ticket was said to have finished.

While walking out of the hall to board, two people were stationed at the exit to check tickets. Boarding started at 14:30 and at 14:41 the Train started moving from Kubwa station. 

While it moved, security men and attendants were observed moving along aisles. The ride was smooth like a luxury car, air conditioned and neat. Chatting went on in the cabin while we enjoyed the view of greenery through the window. Rocks, villages, rivers, vast arable lands and many other views would confirm to one that opportunities abound for tourism and agriculture in Nigeria. An electronic board with scrolling texts kept informing passengers of the next station while wishing them a pleasant journey. Observation continued, seats are clearly numbered and chatting continued among passengers, pictures snapping , some standing catching the fun of their first ride. A woman was busy making sales of snacks and drinks (not so good! I thought).

At exactly 15:18 it arrived Jere station and halted in the nineteenth minute after 3pm. After a brief wait, it took off again at exactly 15:24 while an armed police inspector was asking for tickets for some attendants to confirm and puncture. Obviously to avoid reuse.

Asked for availability of the Train on Sunday, we were told it is not. It operates only Mondays to Saturdays (A gap, I thought again). A journalist was interviewing people about their experiences.

At an average altitude of 560m and average speed of 90km/h, as it kept fluctuating in the range of 85km/h to 95km/hr, the smooth ride continued. Thanks to SpeedoMeter GPS which I used to record speed. At 14:06 ot got to Rijana and at 14:09 it took off and the next stop would be Rigasa in Kaduna.

I decided to have a look at the most important place on the train, the toilet. It is well built, narrow, equipped with toilet roll hanger, small sink with a tap, a 240V three pin socket, a mirror, signage for use, a closet, an extra tap and drained floor. The WC has a stainless steel bowl and plastic seat. So nicely set up. But the neatness has to be taken seriously as the seat was stained with urine.

Fire extinguishers nicely placed at emergency exits for safety. A small cubicle, perhaps a station for attendants, is placed next to the toilet. While a movie kept playing to entertain the passengers, announcements were intermittently made but less audible than the sound of the movie.

At exactly 16:53 it arrived Rigasa station and finally stopped at 16:55 where passenger disembarked.

I did an assessment all through the journey, result of which may come in another blog.