So I finally decided to try out the NRC's train service and see what it's like going from Lagos to Ibadan as I had a personal project in the city. I hardly drive outside Lagos and the cost of fuel nowadays ehn...

For the standard coach, the ticket costs N3600 for adults and N3000 for kids, but there are extra charges for online payment. I got to the Ebute Metta train station at around 7:30 and boarded on time as the morning train was scheduled to leave at 7:55 AM and the estimated time of arrival was 10:29 AM, a duration of 2hrs and 24 minutes. Upon getting to the Ogun state train station, I noticed there was no adherence to sit numbers like it was done in Ebute Metta and everyone just wanted to sit somewhere.

We got to Ibadan at around 10:45 AM, making the delay about 16 minutes. These are some of the specific things I noticed about the train service:

1. Convenience: the train is far more convenient than driving or taking a regular interstate bus from Oshodi or Ojota

2. Safety: the train is quite safe as there were even security escorts (Police/NSCDC) onboard, so I'd say it's a big plus!

3. The boarding and unboarding experience is similar to that of a local airport which is quite nice and the air-conditioning was superb

4. Speed: The train is currently TOO SLOW as a means of modern transportation. We barely moved at 60km/h which is way below its maximum speed of 150km/h. I think it could be slightly better cos that's not efficient enough

5. Open defecation around the Agege/Ogun state axis of the railway quite observable from Agbado. I hate to include this, but it's a fact and it's gonna get worse if they don't use a steel fence around the railway. I saw about 2 kids defecating beside the rail tracks and many more feces along the way and it was an eye sore

6. On getting to Obafemi Awolowo Train station in Ibadan, I observed that the commercial vehicle operators there were charging 2x what they'd normally charge within the city as I am quite familiar with Ibadan. It costs about N1k to get to UI from there and as much as 2k to other parts of Ibadan in a regular keke/shared cab. This jacks up the entire cost of travel when compared to taking a bus.

Final verdict: The major benefit of traveling with the train, for now, is the unique experience and convenience. If you're traveling with your friends & family, it's a good way to enjoy the trip, relax and take cute pictures.

Starting somewhere will surely create room for a better future. Nigeria can still be great. But we need the right set of people in all the levels of Government.

Trains in Nigeria are not as nice as they should be. I've boarded trains outside Nigeria and we need to do better as a country. Imagine a train going at 60km/h when trains in Japan and Switzerland are doing 300km/h.

Firstly, we need to move to electromagnetic trains. We also need to make the trains VERY PUNCTUAL. In Dubai, there are clocks which do a countdown to the time your next train will come. Amazing.

Lastly, train stations need to be clear and clean. In UAE and New York, they have subways. You'd be underground and not know you are under the ground. Kilometers upon kilometers. A new level of sophistication.

Dubai was a village in the 90s. Now, it's one of the worlds most modernized cities. Nigeria was a bit okay in the 90s but is now the poverty capital of the world. We need to wake up.

So they have increased the price last time I ride on it was #2500 and a bike took me and my kid to iwo road #800 but subsidy was on then

WhisperedNoise:
Trains in Nigeria are not as nice as they should be. I've boarded trains outside Nigeria and we need to do better as a country. Imagine a train going at 60km/h when trains in Japan and Switzerland are doing 300km/h.

Firstly, we need to move to electromagnetic trains. We also need to make the trains VERY PUNCTUAL. In Dubai, there are clocks which do a countdown to the time your next train will come. Amazing.

Lastly, train stations need to be clear and clean. In UAE and New York, they have subways. You'd be underground and not know you are under the ground. Kilometers upon kilometers. A new level of sophistication.

Dubai was a village in the 90s. Now, it's one of the worlds most modernized cities. Nigeria was a bit okay in the 90s but is now the poverty capital of the world. We need to wake up.

I think the maglev is too much to ask for right now cos the FG isn't even done paying off the debts for these trains.

With this normal train, they can easily travel at 100km/h since it's just 2/3 of the maximum speed and with that, Lagos to Ibadan would be less than 2 hours and that's still fair.

I don't see any reason why Lagos to Ibadan should take more than 2 hours with a train, as there's nothing like traffic and other issues associated with road travel.

hakeemhakeem:
So they have increased the price last time I ride on it was #2500 and a bike took me and my kid to iwo road #800 but subsidy was on then

Yea, I think so. The total cost when I booked online was about 4k (incl online charges). The cabs in Ibadan were so expensive. Once you land there they treat you like you just came from abroad.

santaclaws:


I think the maglev is too much to ask for right now cos the FG isn't even done paying off the debts for these trains.

With this normal train, they can easily travel at 100km/h since it's just 2/3 of the maximum speed and with that, Lagos to Ibadan would be less than 2 hours and that's still fair.

I don't see any reason why Lagos to Ibadan should take more than 2 hours with a train, as there's nothing like traffic and other issues associated with road travel.

I agree with you. We should walk before we run. If Lagos to Ibadan is less than 2h, maybe 1h20m, it's still fair. A train galloping along at 60km/h is a no no. That means a 2003 Corolla will get to IB faster. Not acceptable.

4k ..

I thought trains were suppose to be cheaper than these interstate buses

WhisperedNoise:

I agree with you. We should walk before we run. If Lagos to Ibadan is less than 2h, maybe 1h20m, it's still fair. A train galloping along at 60km/h is a no no. That means a 2003 Corolla will get to IB faster. Not acceptable.

For now, the corolla would definitely get there faster... Truth be told.

Silentgroper:
4k ..

I thought trains were suppose to be cheaper than these interstate buses

Well, they're not cheaper right now. But if we're to look at other amenities like the A/C, charging ports on the train, as well as safety and convenience, it's definitely worth the cost. Only issue is the speed cos the journey took well over 2hr & 40 mins, which to me, is just too much.

Interstate buses get there faster and they drop you off within the city which makes it far cheaper, so if time & cost are your priorities, I'd advise you stick to interstate buses.

santaclaws:


For now, the corolla would definitely get there faster... Truth be told.

Yes, it will. I just watched a short documentary about maglev trains in China. My jaw dropped to the ground.

santaclaws:


Well, they're not cheaper right now. But if we're to look at other amenities like the A/C, charging ports on the train, as well as safety and convenience, it's definitely worth the cost. Only issue is the speed cos the journey took well over 2hr & 40 mins, which to me, is just too much.

Interstate buses get there faster and they drop you off within the city which makes it far cheaper, so if time & cost are your priorities, I'd advise you stick to interstate buses.

Did you just saw 2h40m??
Berger to Ibadan takes me a little over 1h in public transport. I'll get there faster if I drive. Why should I take a train of 2h40m? They really need to work on that.

Silentgroper:
4k ..

I thought trains were suppose to be cheaper than these interstate buses

No!

Train is more expensive all over the world

Ibadan to Lagos by car is less than one hour nah

The train looks similar to the ones on the Abuja-Kaduna route.. with AC and very comfortable.
Will try this train service to Ibadan from Ebute Metta when next I'm in Lagos.

How I wish they can extend it all the way from Lagos to Kogi up till Kaduna.