NRC increases Abuja-Kaduna train trips amid rising passenger demand

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced an increase in the number of daily trips on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) effective March 6, citing growing passenger demand along the strategic corridor.

In a statement released Tuesday by Chief Public Relations Officer Callistus Unyimadu, the corporation said the revised timetable is designed to provide commuters with more travel options, enhance operational flexibility, and strengthen service delivery on the route.

The NRC noted that the corridor had previously experienced disruptions following the March 28, 2022 bomb blast and the August 26, 2025 derailment, which reduced rolling stock from three to one and necessitated temporary speed restrictions for safety.

“With stability now restored and in response to sustained passenger demand, the corporation has expanded services to better meet commuters’ expectations, alongside the earlier relaxation of some temporary speed restrictions,” the statement read.

Under the new schedule, passengers travelling between Idu and Rigasa will enjoy three trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, while two trips will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Specifically, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the Idu–Rigasa service departs Idu at 8:45 a.m. and returns from Rigasa at 2:30 p.m. On Fridays and Sundays, three trips operate with departures from Idu at 7:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., and from Rigasa at 11:30 a.m.

On Saturdays and Mondays, services will depart Rigasa at 7:15 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., and from Idu at 11:00 a.m., with all trains making scheduled stops at Kubwa.

The NRC advised passengers to take note of the new timetable and plan their journeys accordingly, reaffirming its commitment to improving capacity, reliability, safety, and overall passenger experience across its rail network.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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