The Nigerian government is making the holiday season a breeze for domestic travelers. To alleviate the financial stress associated with festive travels, free train rides and a 50% reduction in public bus fares nationwide have been announced.
Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development and head of the inter-ministerial committee on presidential intervention, shared the news during a press briefing on Wednesday. The initiative aims to enable people to visit their loved ones and hometowns “without stress and the extra burden imposed by the high cost of transport around this period.”
Starting from Thursday until January 4, the discounted inter-state bus fares and complimentary train rides have been greenlit by President Bola Tinubu. This collaborative effort involves luxury bus companies operating along 22 routes across the country, ensuring that the benefit reaches a wide audience.
Air transportation is not included in this arrangement, as the primary focus is on making the season more accessible for the masses, according to Mr. Alake.
Transport Minister Sa’idu Alkali emphasized that the substantial reduction in bus fares and the provision of free train rides aim to ensure that “every Nigerian can partake in the joy of the season without the burden of exorbitant transportation costs.”
Segun Falade, spokesperson for the National Union of Road Transport Workers, confirmed that bus operators are ready to implement the fare subsidy as agreed. As December marks the peak of travel activities in Nigeria, encompassing air, road, and railway journeys, these measures are poised to bring relief to a multitude of passengers.
