In a bid to alleviate the financial strain often associated with holiday travel, the Nigerian government has introduced complimentary train rides and a 50% reduction in public bus fares nationwide during the festive season.
Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and head of the inter-ministerial committee on presidential intervention, announced this initiative on Wednesday.
The move announced on Wednesday is to allow domestic travellers to visit their loved ones and hometowns “without stress and the extra burden imposed by the high cost of transport around this period,” Dele Alake said at a press briefing.
The discounted inter-state fares and cost-free train rides will be effective from Thursday through January 4, as disclosed by Mr. Alake. This collaborative effort involved negotiations with luxury bus companies operating across 22 routes in Nigeria.
Mr. Alake clarified that air travel is not included in the arrangement, citing the president’s focus on assisting the masses.
Transport Minister Sa’idu Alkali said the substantial reduction in bus fares and the free train rides would ensure “every Nigerian can partake in the joy of the season without the burden of exorbitant transportation costs”.
Segun Falade, the spokesperson for the National Union of Road Transport Workers, confirmed that bus operators will promptly implement the fare subsidy as agreed, according to local media reports.
December typically registers the highest volume of air, road, and railway passengers in Nigeria, making it the busiest month for travel across the country.
