My Kaduna train trip
Part of the motivation for coming to Abuja for the holidays was simply because I wanted to experience a train ride. Having browsed extensively online, I found out I could take the only available train that goes from Abuja to Kaduna. I had never been to Kaduna so this sparked extra chills inside me.
At 5am, I was up and got dressed. One of the things I learnt about Abuja was the accuracy in time. You could predict to be in a place in 15 minutes and you will get there within your time frame because of less traffic. This is a far cry from the Lagos life that I know. So all geared up with my camera and simple outfit, I got to Kubwa station to get on the first train that Sunday morning. There are two train stations in Abuja that goes to Kaduna, the Idu and Kubwa train station.
Kubwa Station
The first train tickets are sold for 1500 naira in the morning and not 1300. The train station is really beautiful and in my heart I prayed that it will be maintained for long giving the way most government facilities end up in Nigeria.
The train came in 10 mins behind the scheduled time. We filed out on the platform while the train in its glory came to a halt in front of us. One of the things about crowd is how people are always in a rush to get in even when clearly the train had more than enough space to carry us all. Nigerians sha. So I climbed in and as was really impressed with what I saw. It was air-conditioned and clean. I was giddy inside. This was going to be a beautiful ride. We were so few that morning. I could literally leave my coach and go sit in another just for the fun of it. I kept taking shots and recording at intervals. A lady went round selling drinks and snacks after which a guy came to check our tickets. He was courteous and kept smiling. I have never seen a government official so happy. Most of the ones I have encountered are usually grumpy and act like they are doing you a favour for doing their jobs. The train was quite slow though. I later heard it was because of the Chinese officials who were in charge of the train. We would have gotten earlier if it were Nigerians officials. Those ones like to speed.
Typical.
Rigasa Station
We got to Rigasa station, Kaduna at some minutes past 9 that morning. Abuja to Kaduna is two hours by train. Walahi, I did not expect the crowd I saw that morning at Rigasa. I was blown. Well, this many people actually take the train to Abuja to Kaduna. If only we had more modern trains in Lagos plying intra state routes, the traffic rate would lessen.
So I decided to stroll around. I was coming to a town I didn’t know anyone in and I didn’t speak Hausa to begin with. The people are quite friendly here and willing to help. I specially want to thank a lady, Hauwa. She was really helpful with helping me get around. I decided to get to Gamji Park, but the train station ticketing people was on another level that day. I was told you had to be in the station from 11am to secure your tickets for the 2 o clock train. I initially thought the next train was by 1pm but learnt it was actually scheduled for 1:50pm. So torn between the desire of getting my 2 o clock ticket and going to Gamji park, I decided to wait. At 11 am, was told they won’t start selling till 12pm. Hian. “This is not funny o”. I muttered to myself. How many minutes will I have to spend in Gamji Park?’. Nevertheless I decided to wait since I’m among the first ten on the queue. Interestingly, women and men have different queues which I sort of liked. I have had enough of guys trying to grope you because you stood on the same line. And if people were rushing on the same queue? Aha! Perfect opportunity! You’ll feel different hands on you. It’s one of the reasons I don’t rush in the crowd. Sometimes people steal stuffs as well. Lagos has taught me enough to be alert. At 12pm, this people said they won’t sell the ticket till 12:30pm. I was livid! You say what?! What’s all this nonsense now? Someone came and pleaded with them to start selling. At 12:20, I got my ticket and rushed out as fast as I could. The plan was to get to Gamji park on time, spend 15 minutes and get a bike back to the station. Hauwa helped me get a keke that dropped me (somewhere around Barkin Ruwa) where I could easily find a bike to Gamji park.
Gamji Park
At Gamji park, I paid 200 naira entrance gate fee. I inquired about the zoo and went straight there. Had to paid another 100 naira fee for the zoo.
The zoo at Gamji park was the highlight for me. I have very faint memory of the zoo I visited whilst I was a kid so this also felt like the first real experience for me. I saw how adoringly dangerous the lion could be when it roared and people shook in fear. There were hyenas, ostriches, antelope, tortoises and different kind of monkeys.
I saw the Kaduna River. I didn’t even know that Kaduna had a river. The park is beautiful but I think that it can still be renovated to better utilize it for tourism. I moved around a bit keeping in mind I had a 2’oclock train to catch.
Back to Rigasa
Unfortunately I missed my train. I arrived 15 minutes late. My heart sunk. I tried asking around if something could be done about it but unfortunately I was told I had to buy a fresh ticket of 1500 naira for the 6 o clock train. The 2 o clock train ticket was sold for 1300 for economy while first class is sold for 2500. Thanks to Mr. Sam, he was helpful with getting the ticket. I was distraught and wasn’t exactly focused. I gave my camera to his sons who took real nice shots. Who knows they may have a thing for photography in the nearest future. So we sat in the waiting room waiting for the 6 o clock train. I tried to move around a bit but my morale had really dropped and I was just trying to keep my spirit up. Well, Nigeria the ever so interesting country did not disappoint. So yes, ticket were sold before the proper ticket sales time. It made sense that the ticket I bought earlier, I was on seat 62 even though I was among the first ten. The tickets are sold codedly and by virtue of being a government staff or knowing someone who works there. Some passengers get their tickets seat reserved for them before they get to the station. It’s all connections in the country. Also tickets for minors were never sold. Tickets for minors go for 950 naira but instead they are sold the same adult tickets for 1500. If you have kids and you want to go with the train, prepare to pay an adult fee instead unless in the future they address this. After the officials were done selling the tickets, we were told to stay at the assembly point that we would be boarding the train soon. Some passengers came in after the tickets sale was over but still got tickets. Some persons (people call them touts) within the station had access to the tickets and sold a ticket of 1500 for 2000 or 2500 depending on the bargaining power of the passenger and how desperately the person needed to get on the train.
Nigeriaaaaa. My wonderful country.
We boarded the train and the ride back to Abuja began. I was pressed and needed to use the rest room. I was impressed to find it in good condition considering the number of people in the train. Each coach carried 88 passengers and it was about 6-8 coaches in all. There was also a nurse in the train to cater for medical emergencies. I moved around a bit and found out I was sort of lost because I couldn’t find where my seat was. One time I even passed my seat without knowing. The seating arrangements had me confused, but I talked with a few people and found my way back. We had a 5 mins standstill because another train was passing through the tracks. I liked that we were informed at intervals about changes along the journey. I slept through the rest of the journey and was woken up by the Emmanuel, Mr Sam’s son that we were at Kubwa. This train was however fast and kept to time.
We got to Kubwa station at 8pm.
Author : Anwuli Roseline
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Wakawaka 