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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC ) has declared free train rides across the nation during Christmas and New Year that will begin from December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024.
This followed the directive of President Bola Tinubu who also approved a 50 per cent reduction in interstate bus fares to enable the people to travel for the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The NRC said in a statement: “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, 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.”
President Tinubu approves 50% reduction in transport fare nationwide, air travels exempted
President Tinubu has approved a 50 per cent slash in price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians traveling during the yuletide from Thursday, December 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday, December 20.
“It is in this wise that the President is announcing through us that beginning from tomorrow, December 21, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via mini buses, luxury buses at 50 per cent discount of current cost and all our train services on the route the trains currently serve at zero cost on their travels this holiday season.
This special presidential intervention will commence tomorrow, Thursday, December 21 and it will end on January 4, 2024.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, will be working with transporters, road transport unions, the Nigerian Railway Corporation to seamlessly deliver on this special presidential initiative.
I can tell you that all the relevant stakeholders in that industry have been discussed with or been engaged and all the parameters laid out and the Minister of Transportation has the full details and it’s on top of the game. In fact, the Presidents of the various transport unions have been met…and everything is in top shape in terms of execution.” he said
He however clarified that air travels were exempted from the initiative as it is mainly targeted at the masses.
“The initiative is for the masses. Air is luxury. The masses don’t use air transport. So they are our main target,” he clarified
