The Kaduna - Abuja Rail System Conundrum

I have been following a few online discussion on the recently launched Kaduna-Abuja Rail network. I am however not interested in the irresponsible and daft APC Vs PDP 'who did this, who did that crap'.

My interest is the pricing and my stone -cast belief is that the network will collapse and fall into disuse in less than 3 years, maximum of 5. Go and check previous records from Nigeria Railway Corporation and Nigeria Airways. The signs are are all visible to anyone who has the faintest idea of how brutally and viciously expensive it is to run a rail network.

Nigerian public service is generally run by idiots. Wait, don't tell me I swear a lot because I have loads of evidence why I am absolutely certain that our public services are run by nincompoops. Name one public infrastructure that works. If you can't name one, you either read on or STFU and go to Linda's blog. I want to discuss with intelligent folks.

How can a rail network from Kaduna to Abuja be priced at N800? Are those folks mad or something? That is about £2.  How much is bus service from Kaduna to Abuja? Is the cost of maintaining the train,  the rail system, paying the engineers, the drivers, the cleaners going to come from charging people N800? There would be instances where traffic will be low.

Is funding for the network another free public service that will be funded by tax-payers?

This how pricing is done in places where the rail system works. You will have different pricing regimes. For the rich, the poor, peak times, off peak times, for children, for adults. You should also demarcate the sitting arrangement. The rich should have a special cubicle where they will not be disturbed by the noisy market people. Then the pricing for peak period will be much higher since traffic will be higher. You need to maximise revenue receipt because you must meet maintenance cost.

I have read many daft updates from Janjaweeds celebrating the rail network and doing their usual Sai Buhari anthem. Is that what the infrastructure is all about? SMH!

If they have no clue how to operate a rail network, why can't they just use Google? There are millions of free templates. They are all online.

Two years ago I was in Osaka enroute Tokyo because then the airline I used (Qatar)does only Doha to Osaka and I was going to Tokyo. I was adviced to either fly domestic flight or use the high speed train called Shinkanshen. Trust my Nigerian instinct,I rushed to buy the train ticket only to discover it is a bit more expensive than air ticket and will get to Tokyo Station same time I will come out of the airport.

I took the flight.

Modern train transportation should run themselves, make profits to stay afloat, repair and modernise rails and stations and also pay salaries.

It shouldn't be subsidised negatively.

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