By Abubakar Bodejo
In a bid to ease transportation for Nigerians during the festive season, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced free train rides for 340,000 passengers across major routes. This initiative, part of the Federal Government’s palliative measures, aims to alleviate travel costs and ensure seamless movement during the Yuletide period.
Speaking at Kubwa Station after the program’s launch, the Acting Managing Director of NRC, Ben Iluanosi, confirmed that the initiative is already a success.
He highlighted the NRC’s commitment to efficient service delivery, stating that approximately 20,000 passengers will benefit daily from the free rides. Major routes covered under the program include Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Port Harcourt-Aba, Lagos Mass Transit, and Warri-Itakpe.
“The NRC remains committed to delivering smooth and secure train services throughout the festive period,” Iluanosi said. “Passengers can travel without worrying about cost, and we have put systems in place to ensure that the initiative runs without hitches.”
To address potential overcrowding and ensure fairness, the NRC has implemented crowd control measures and limits on ticket purchases. Passengers have been encouraged to plan their journeys, book tickets online where possible, and use the service in an orderly manner.
Additionally, security has been ramped up across all stations and trains to prevent abuse of the initiative.
“We understand that this season is critical for Nigerians traveling to reunite with their families, and we want to ensure that everyone benefits fairly. Security personnel will be deployed to monitor and enforce proper usage of the free rides,” Iluanosi added.
The free train services will continue until January 4 or 5, 2024, with NRC promising to provide further updates to passengers as needed.
Thousands of Nigerians have already taken advantage of the opportunity, applauding the initiative as a timely relief amid economic challenges.
“This is a commendable effort,” said Ibrahim Adamu, a passenger who boarded the Abuja-Kaduna train. “Traveling during the festive season is usually expensive, so this free ride is a big help for many families.”
The NRC has assured the public that trains will operate on their regular schedules throughout the period, with additional measures in place to accommodate the anticipated increase in demand.
As Nigerians prepare to celebrate the holidays, the free train rides offer a much-needed solution for affordable and convenient travel, underscoring the importance of accessible public transport in easing economic burdens during festive seasons.
