Following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cut a 50 per cent reduction in interstate bus fares during the festive season, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC ) has declared a free train ride from Thursday on all its passenger services.
The NRC, in a statement, said following the President’s directive, it would commence free train service for its entire passengers’ services from Thursday, December 21, 2023, to Thursday, January 4, 2024, both days inclusive.
The statement added, “Passengers are advised to obtain their free tickets via the online e-ticketing platforms only. Tickets will not be issued at any of the corporation’s train stations. Please note that no commuter will be allowed to board the train without a ticket.
“We enjoin commuters to be orderly and obey security personnel and the laid down boarding instructions of the NRC and those of its officials while at the station and on board the trains. We wish all our esteemed customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance.”
The Informant247 had earlier reported that Nigerian President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, approved a 50 per cent reduction in the fares that commercial buses charge on interstate routes during the Yuletide season.
Mr Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals, while announcing the cut, said the effort is a presidential intervention aimed at offering relief to people with low incomes during the holiday season.
He said, “President Bola Tinubu, in another demonstration of his love for Nigerians, has approved that the Federal Government should intervene to bring down the cost of public transport to allow our compatriots who want to travel to visit their loved ones and hometowns to do so without stress and the extra burden imposed by the high cost of transport around this period.”
Alake, while acknowledging the tradition of increased travel during Christmas and the end of the year, emphasised the President’s awareness of the recent surge in the cost of inter-state transportation and air travel, adding that the reduction in transportation fares is expected to alleviate the financial burden on individuals wishing to travel during this period.
The minister further revealed that all train routes would be free from Thursday, December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024. However, air transportation is exempted as it is considered for privileged individuals.
“The President is well aware of the recent increase in the cost of inter-state transportation and even for air travel. Traditionally, our people love to travel during Christmas and end of the year to be with families and friends, and this has been the practice for ages,” Alake added.
