- The Federal Government has initiated free train rides from December 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025, to reduce transportation costs
- Approximately 340,000 passengers are expected to benefit from this initiative, with services running on five key routes nationwide
The Federal Government has launched free train rides nationwide to ease transportation costs during the festive season.
On Friday, the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Ben Iloanusi, welcomed the first passengers at the Kubwa train station in Abuja.
The passengers had arrived from Rigasa, Kaduna. During his address, Iloanusi acknowledged initial safety concerns but assured that measures were in place to address them.
According to Iloanusi, the free train service aims to carry 20,000 passengers daily. By the end of the initiative in the first week of January, about 340,000 travellers are expected to benefit.
The service operates smoothly across five key routes: Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, Port Harcourt-Aba, and Lagos Mass Transit.
Addressing concerns about ticket racketeering, Iloanusi noted that the NRC’s ticketing portal is active,e and steps have been taken to prevent misuse, such as purchasing multiple tickets.
This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to support citizens during the Yuletide period.