The Lagos-Ogun Mass Transit Train Services (MTTS) will resume on Monday September 14, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has disclosed.

This is coming after five months of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The train services would resume amidst increase in fares by 100 per cent.

Spokesperson of NRC Lagos district, Khadijah Aroyewun-Adekomaiya, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

She quoted the District Manager of NRC in Lagos, Mr Jerry Oche, as declaring that all COVID-19 protocols would be adhered to.

“NRC is set to resume its Mass Transit Train Services on Monday, Sept. 14, 2020.

“The resumption is coming after a compulsory shutdown of train operations on March 23, 2020, due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.

“Following the guidelines set by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for the reopening of rail transportation within established parameters, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has made important changes to the delivery of services on its Mass Transit Trains,” the statement quoted Oche as saying.

The MTTS would now cost N460 flat per trip between Iddo in Lagos and Ijoko/Kajola in Ogun. The fare used to be N230 per trip.

The Railway District Manager also said the trains would no longer stop at some stations, adding that trains originating from Ijoko will only stop at Ebute Metta Junction and Iddo stations.

He added that the return trains originating from Iddo would terminate at Ijoko only.

Before the COVID-19 shutdown, trains originating from Iddo usually stopped at various railway stations, including Ebute Metta, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Sogunle, Agege, Iju, Agbado, Itoki, Opo Suuru, Ijoko before terminating at Kajola.

Oche said, “It is to be noted that the MTT train would leave Ijoko by 6.30 am and Iddo by 17.30 pm.

“In strict adherence to NCDC’s guidelines for public engagement, no passengers would be allowed to board the train without a face mask and hand sanitiser.

“This is an addition to the measures the NRC management have taken to ensure proper social distancing while boarding and onboard the MTTS.

“In addition to strict social distancing measures on board the Mass Transit Trains, seats marked ‘X’ are not to be sat on.”

He also added that standing or hanging on the train will not be allowed.

“This will not be tolerated. It is to be noted that defaulters of these laid down rules would be prosecuted,” he added. (Daily Trust)

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