Train operations on the Abuja–Kaduna railway line officially resumed on Wednesday, more than a month after the derailment of four coaches near Asham, Kaduna State, which left several passengers injured.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended services on August 26 following the accident.
Wednesday’s resumption was met with relief by many commuters who rely on the rail corridor as a safer alternative to the Abuja–Kaduna highway, often threatened by insecurity.
However, some passengers voiced frustration over changes to the train schedules and extended travel time.
According to several accounts, the journey between Abuja and Kaduna, which usually lasts about two hours, is now taking nearly four hours.
“I am happy that train services have resumed, but the new schedule and longer journey time are frustrating. We need the NRC to address these issues quickly,” a passenger told our correspondent.
Others complained that the adjustment in departure and arrival times disrupted their travel plans, with many calling for urgent measures to restore efficiency on the route.
Despite the grievances, many passengers said they were still relieved to have the trains running again, given the security risks associated with traveling by road.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line has become one of the busiest in Nigeria since its commissioning, serving thousands of commuters daily.
It provides a critical link for business, government, and leisure travelers who seek an alternative to the highway, where frequent incidents of bandit attacks and kidnappings have raised safety concerns.
For now, passengers appear caught between relief at the return of the trains and growing frustration over delays and adjustments.
