In a bid to ease the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season, President Bola Tinubu has given his approval for a 50% reduction in the price of interstate transport fares.
The initiative is set to take effect from Thursday, December 21, 2023, through January 4, 2024. Additionally, the President has sanctioned free rides for commuters on all train services within this period.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Dele Alake, during a briefing with State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday.
According to Alake, this special intervention aims to provide economic relief to Nigerians willing to travel during the holiday season.
Alake stated, “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.” The initiative is expected to last until January 4, 2024.
The Ministry of Transportation, in collaboration with transporters and road transport unions, will work towards the seamless execution of this presidential initiative.
All stakeholders in the transportation industry, including the Presidents of various transport unions, have been engaged and briefed on the details of the initiative.
Notably, air travel is excluded from this initiative, as it is primarily targeted at the masses who predominantly use ground transportation.
The move is seen as a gesture to alleviate the financial strain on the majority of Nigerians during the festive period.
As Nigerians gear up for the yuletide season, this price reduction is expected to bring relief to many travelers, making holiday journeys more affordable and accessible to a broader segment of the population.
