Business a.m
President Bola Tinubu has approved a reduction in interstate transport fares by 50 per cent, effective from December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024, a move expected to ease the cost of transportation for Nigerians during the holiday season.
In addition to the reduction in transport fares, the president has also approved free rides for commuters on all train services during the same period.
Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development, announced the reduced transportation fares and free train rides during a press conference at the Aso Rock Villa on December 20. Alake explained that the initiative was aimed at providing relief to ordinary Nigerians during the holiday season.He also clarified that air travel was not included in the initiative, as it is out of reach for most people.
Alake stated, “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.
Alake explained that the implementation of the initiative would be a collaborative effort between the government and relevant stakeholders. He disclosed that the ministry of transportation, in collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, will be working with transporters and road transport unions to ensure that the reduced fares and free train rides are available to all who need them.
Alake stressed that all stakeholders have been engaged and are fully on board with the initiative. He highlighted the minister of transportation’s role in ensuring that the initiative is successful, noting that Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, the minister of transportation has been given full details of the initiative and is “on top of the game”.
