The Federal Government has launched the 62km Port-Harcourt to Aba rail service and declared a four-day free train ride for passengers.
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, officially flagged off the commencement of the rail service in Port-Harcourt on Tuesday.
Alkali in his address noted that transportation is amongst the eight key priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, hence his prioritization of the eastern rail corridor project upon assumption of office.
READ ALSO: CCECC revives eastern rail, completes Port Harcourt-Aba track
The minister said that the commencement of the train service is part of the intensified drive by the FG to facilitate trade, enhance mobility, and accessibility and ensure connectivity between regions.
Alkali said he believes that the reopening of this eastern line will ease public transportation and boost economic activities in the region.
To encourage and drive the usage of the rail service, the Ministry of Transportation declared a four-day free ride from Wednesday, May 1 to Saturday, May 4.
READ ALSO: Govt begins operations on Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway
The Ministry of Transportation said the commercial services are expected to kick start from Tuesday, May 7.
The ministry added that with the completion of the rehabilitation of the Port-Harcourt to Aba rail corridor, it will continue to vigorously drive the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) towards the speedy completion and delivery of the 181 kilometres Aba-Enugu stretch.
The fare for the Port-Harcourt to Aba train service has been pegged at N1,000 for VIP and N800 for economy class.
