My experience using the train from Itakpe to Warri.

Itakpe Station
The fare is N5,000 for regular and N8,000 for business class. After paying I found out that seats available in the waiting hall could only accommodate like 100 people but there were over 300 people who had booked. So we had to find somewhere outside to sit. Many sat on the floor outside.


I was surprised to find out that at the Itakpe station they said the restroom was out of order because there was no water so travellers who needed to go had to use the nearby bushes to relieve themselves.

The day I traveled the departure time was set at 2pm but the train arrived at 2:09pm. Then chaos set it. There was a strange arrangement where touts in collaboration with the railway officials (helped) carried luggages of travellers into the coaches for a fee, this was done haphazardly as the touts grabbed the largest luggages they could find sometimes irrespective of the owners consent. One mans luggage was carried without his knowledge along with that of another person and when he found it the tout who carried it claimed ignorance.

It took over an hour before passengers were allowed to board and the train later moved some minutes after 3pm.

The ticket sales was manually done.


The Journey
The coaches are air-conditioned and spacious and the train moved smoothly. Different people sold on the train, some sold water, soft drinks and snacks and of course herbal medicine was also sold.

Immediately the train moved the restrooms on board the train were locked as observed on these coaches Sp00033 sp00021. Passengers who needed to ease themselves would have to wait untill the next station the go out and used the bush.

Lots of other passengers were picked along the way and many sat on the floor or stood in the aisle. Blocking the exits.

Security was tight though as several armed security men were clearly seen in all the coaches.



A lot could be done in maintaining standards. It's not rocket science to provide and maintain restrooms in public facilities.

I arrived Ujewu(Warri) at about 9:30pm

My humble submission.

Ticket sales should computerized automated and passengers should be allowed to choose seats of their choice. To avoid ticket racketeering by touts.

Staff must be mandated to put on uniforms with name tags. To prevent touts from taking advantage of travellers

More coaches should be bought and more routes opened as there is clearly a very large demand for hassle free land travel.

Overall the experience is great and despite the challenges I'll still prefer travel by rail than by road.

Cc: Seun
Mynd44

Hmmm... They still sold food and herbs inside the train. A toilet-less train. Can Nigerians change?

blackmantis:
My experience using the train from Itakpe to Warri.

Itakpe Station
The fare is N5,000 for regular and N8,000 for business class. After paying I found out that seats available in the waiting hall could only accommodate like 100 people but there were over 300 people who had booked. So we had to find somewhere outside to sit. Many sat on the floor outside.


I was surprised to find out that at the Itakpe station they said the restroom was out of order because there was no water so travellers who needed to go had to use the nearby bushes to relieve themselves.

The day I traveled the departure time was set at 2pm but the train arrived at 2:09pm. Then chaos set it. There was a strange arrangement where touts in collaboration with the railway officials (helped) carried luggages of travellers into the coaches for a fee, this was done haphazardly as the touts grabbed the largest luggages they could find sometimes irrespective of the owners consent. One mans luggage was carried without his knowledge along with that of another person and when he found it the tout who carried it claimed ignorance.

It took over an hour before passengers were allowed to board and the train later moved some minutes after 3pm.

The ticket sales was manually done.


The Journey
The coaches are air-conditioned and spacious and the train moved smoothly. Different people sold on the train, some sold water, soft drinks and snacks and of course herbal medicine was also sold.

Immediately the train moved the restrooms on board the train were locked as observed on these coaches Sp00033 sp00021. Passengers who needed to ease themselves would have to wait untill the next station the go out and used the bush.

Lots of other passengers were picked along the way and many sat on the floor or stood in the aisle. Blocking the exits.

Security was tight though as several armed security men were clearly seen in all the coaches.



A lot could be done in maintaining standards. It's not rocket science to provide and maintain restrooms in public facilities.

I arrived Ujewu(Warri) at about 9:30pm

My humble submission.

Ticket sales should computerized automated and passengers should be allowed to choose seats of their choice. To avoid ticket racketeering by touts.

Staff must be mandated to put on uniforms with name tags. To prevent touts from taking advantage of travellers

More coaches should be bought and more routes opened as there is clearly a very large demand for hassle free land travel.

Overall the experience is great and despite the challenges I'll still prefer travel by rail than by road.

Many thanks for sharing your experience.