The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has released new prices for Lagos-Ibadan and Lagos-Abeokuta train services.

The NRC, in a memo addressed to its station managers and staff, said the decision to increase the fares was due to the high cost of diesel.

“The new fare on Lagos – Ibadan Train Service (LITS):

“Lagos – Ibadan, and Ibadan – Lagos; First class (N9,000); Business (N6,500); Standard- adult (N3,600), minor (N3,000).

“Lagos – Abeokuta, and Abeokuta – Lagos; First class (N6,000); Business (N4,500); Standard- adult (N3,000), minor (N2,000).

“Abeokuta – Ibadan, and Ibadan – Abeokuta; First Class (N3,000); Business (N2,000); Standard- adult (N1,000), minor (N600),” the memo stated.

Before now, First Class from Ibadan to Lagos cost N6,009, Business Class N4,000 and Standard Class was N2,600.

The new rate regime commenced on Monday.

The NRC transports average of 2,000 passengers per weekday, and more on weekends.

NRC had last week said that the increased cost of diesel and other logistics can be a significant determinant in the new price of train services.

The corporation’s managing director (MD), Fidet Okhiria, had said the increase in price would be done while considering the interests of Nigerians.

He called on passengers to make some sacrifices and collaborate with the corporation to ensure the continued provision of the service.

“It is better to have it operating than not operating. It is the service we are providing but in order to provide it, everybody has to make some sacrifices,” the MD said.

The development is coming four days after the Abuja-Kaduna train services commenced operations.