Notice: Undefined index: banner_ad_width in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 359
Notice: Undefined index: image_width in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 359
Notice: Undefined index: banner_ad_height in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 360
Notice: Undefined index: image_height in /home/ayekooto/public_html/wp-content/plugins/quick-adsense-reloaded/includes/render-ad-functions.php on line 360
The ratification of the passenger’s fare on the new Lagos-Ibadan rail standard gauge by the Federal Government on Friday is exploitative and hardship inflicting on the masses.
The charges N3,000 per Economy seat, N5000 for Business class and N6000 for First class is on the high side.
The joy and ecstasy that’s supposed to characterize the introduction of the train is being short-lived because it was expected that the train should force down the buses and cars fare by offering the masses a rock bottom fare but what we have now is contrary.
Buses and cars charge maximum of N2500 from Ibadan to the various parts of Lagos such as Lekki, Ikorodu, Oshodi, Abule egba, Badagry ,Obalende , Iyana Ipaja to mention a few depending on individual’s destination.
Unfortunately, the train has only one terminus yet the fare is outrageous.
The only advantage of the train over buses and cars is speed and the implications of this will end up creating a big problem.
The buses and cars will see the train as a rival and try to narrow down the edge by indulging in reckless driving , turning the newly constructed Lagos-Ibadan expressway to another death trap. In the same vein, there is tendency for them to hike their fares because the fare of the train has justified their pricing policy.
However, the train fare can still be afforded by very few business men conveniently and to them it is an advantage.
Nevertheless , Oyo state is majorly agrarian, farmers will not be fascinated by the train because of its exorbitant fare.
With the economy recession in the country ,it is expected of the federal government to do things that will cushion the effects of the harsh economy on the masses and not to inflict more pains.
Against the above backdrop, it is critical for the federal government to retrace her steps and drastically slash down the fare to N1,000 per Economy seat ,N1500 per the business seat and N2,000 for the First class. By so doing, we shall be persuaded that our government is people oriented.
Adekunle Johnson
Comment here