The narrative is that travelling is a fun thing to do and I genuinely say the same thing. However, the series of experiences I've had while travelling across several regions in Nigeria can easily make anyone think twice about using 'fun' and 'travel' in the same sentence.
We travellers have stories to tell about our experience using the road and a bunch of these stories are enough to give you a scare whenever you are about to travel. The bad road is already enough problem. Sometimes, travelling for long hours by road may warrant having to take painkillers to avoid experiencing excessive body aches. The road isn't safe either. Armed robbers and kidnappers have been targeting road users and there are sufficient records to prove that.
All these are things we've come to accept as travellers, but it becomes a little too much when the law enforcement agencies who are supposed to keep the road safe end up harassing passengers and delaying buses for hours. Sometimes, Policemen stop buses on the highway and start searching everyone on the bus, especially young lads. They also go as far as forcefully going through people's phones.
Woe betides anyone that has any stuff related to Cryptocurrency in his phone... The law enforcement agency will use that as an opportunity to rob you of your Crypto and enrich themselves with your hard-earned money. If you think I'm making this up, I strongly suggest you think again. Hehe. Well, I've found a way to travel without dealing with any of that bullshit
Transportation by train has proven to be the best so far.
Wow... I never got to travel by train until 2022. That was my first experience and it's something I've been exploring since then. It makes travelling a lot easier and passengers have enough space in the train to stretch their legs and comfortably enjoy their trip.
Do you see the above picture?
I took that at Obafemi Awolowo Train Station in Ibadan, Oyo State. At the moment, the train is scheduled to operate twice every day. When the train leaves Ibadan, it goes through 3 stopovers before it reaches its final destination at Mobolaji Johnson Station, Alagomeji, Lagos. The same applies to the ones coming from the Lagos station to Ibadan. Those travelling to Abeokuta from either Ibadan or Lagos can also join the train. They can drop off at the Abeokuta stopover without much hassle.
For the morning schedule in either of the stations, the ticket selling starts at 7 a.m and the train departs at 8 a.m, prompt. I've never experienced any delay in the departure time and it usually gets to the destination by 10:47 a.m. As for the afternoon schedule, the ticket selling starts at 2 p.m. and the train departs at 4 p.m., reaching the final destination by 6:47 p.m.
Ever since I discovered that our railway stations are working well in some parts of the country, I usually do my research well before travelling. If travelling by train is an option in interstate travel, that is usually my sure option. It's quite convenient, you know. Hehe. It is also more expensive than travelling by bus, but the convenience of travelling by train in addition to the assurance you have about the departure and arrival time, makes it worth all the extra quid.
The above picture is the one I took in the lobby of the train station. That's where you wait after getting your travelling ticket until you are called upon to enter the train. Throughout the time I've travelled by this particular train station, the lobby has always been chill without any unnecessary noise. I usually use that moment to do some reading online before boarding the train to start my journey.
My experience so far while travelling by train has always been fairly inspiring. Somehow, it makes me even more uncomfortable to travel by road for long distances whenever the train isn't an option. Hehe.
Thanks For Not Missing Any Full-stop Or Comma
Both pictures are mine, taken from my phone gallery.