Passengers Vandalise Newly Commissioned Airconditioned Passenger Train

THERE was pandemonium around communities in Agbado Railway Crossing in Ogun State, on Tuesday, as angry train passengers destroyed the newly-inaugurated multi-million naira luxury passenger train.

The destruction took place less that 24 hours after it was inaugurated by the Federal Government in Lagos.

Many people, including officials of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), were injured in the melee that ensued as a result of the protest, as passengers threw stones and bottles at the new train.

Many of the angry protesters were later arrested by policemen from the Railway police command, who arrived at the scene after the train had been vandalised.

The passengers were protesting against the increase in fares of mass transit  trains, which was introduced by the NRC and commenced operation on June 1.

It was gathered that trouble started on Tuesday when the price of the newly-inaugurated luxury train was pegged at N700.

Passengers using the old luxury mass transit train condemned the new fare, which they described as “almost 50 per cent increase” from the former rate.

The deputy director in charge of communication of the NRC, David Ndakosu, confirmed the damage of the new train.