Thousands of passengers have flocked to designated motor parks in major cities such as Abuja and Lagos, as well as other states, to take advantage of the 50% reduction in transport fares announced by the Federal Government for the 2024 Yuletide period.
The initiative, introduced by the Ministry of Transportation, aims to ease the financial burden of travel during the festive season. The government, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the road transport sector, confirmed that it would cover 50% of the cost of road travel for passengers between December 24, 2024, and January 5, 2025.
In addition to the road transport fare reduction, the government launched a free rail transportation scheme on December 20, 2024, although its full commencement has faced delays due to funding challenges from the Ministry of Finance.
The transport palliative initiative is being implemented in partnership with several key transport organizations, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria. According to a Memorandum of Understanding, the program will cover 144 routes, operating from Abuja and Lagos to all state capitals, except Anambra, where the city of Onitsha will be the designated destination. A total of 708 vehicles will be deployed for the initiative.
At the Oshodi bus terminal in Lagos, many passengers were seen boarding buses under the palliative scheme. Several travelers expressed their appreciation for the fare reduction. Mrs. Ejiofor Deborah, one of the passengers, shared her surprise upon learning about the initiative, saying, “I never knew such a benefit was on until I got to the terminal. Honestly, I am very happy, and God will bless our President.” Another traveler, Mrs. Ojediran, emphasized the relief the fare reduction provided, particularly in light of the challenging economic situation. She remarked, “This is a major relief for me during this difficult time. Transport fares can make one depressed, but now I am happy and able to travel without financial strain.”
The Federal Government has also ensured that adequate staff and monitoring systems are in place across all 36 states to ensure the smooth execution of the scheme. Senator Said Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, disclosed that the projected number of road travelers for the 13-day period is 288,644 passengers, while rail transportation is expected to accommodate up to 320,000 passengers over the 17-day period.
“We invited transport associations and conducted a market survey to ensure the discounted fare is in line with actual prices. The 50% discount is based on these figures,” Alkali explained. He added that the program is being monitored closely for efficiency, with staff deployed nationwide to handle any issues and ensure swift resolution.
Yusuf Ibrahim, General Secretary of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the response to the initiative, stating that the turnout has been impressive. “This is not the first time such a program has been implemented, and people have been eagerly awaiting its return. We have rolled out many buses to meet the demand, and the scheme continues until January 5, 2025,” Ibrahim said.
The government’s move is seen as a significant effort to provide relief to Nigerians, particularly those who were considering suspending their traditional holiday travels due to high transportation costs
Comments