There was a passenger surge yesterday as the free train service took off in line with the presidential directive.
However, the bus transportation part of the programme, had not taken off yesterday.
The Federal Government on Wednesday announced President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of rebates for transportation during the yuletide, beginning yesterday.
In the programme, Nigerians traveling to celebrate with loved ones are to enjoy a free train ride on the Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, Warri-Itakpe, and Ido-Ijoko (Ogun State) routes.
Those traveling by bus will pay 50 percent of the cost.
Five transport companies – God is Good, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motor – are partnering with the Federal Government in the arrangement.
Passengers thronged the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station at Ebute Meta, Yaba, Lagos.
The two train services were filled, with many who were unable to board seen waiting.
Many of the passengers who did not know that e-ticketing was mandatory were told they could not buy tickets at the station.
The Lagos District Manager, Mr. Augustine Arisa, described the patronage as “expectedly heavy because we have started the free train service”.
He said many passengers could not board as a result of the crowd that thronged the station.
He said the Corporation ran two shuttle services between Lagos and Ibadan on the standard gauge yesterday.
Arisa said the Corporation was prepared to meet the desire of travelers this yuletide and is primed to provide top-of-the-range service for which the standard gauge service is becoming well known.
He believes the free train offer was an opportunity for many more Nigerians to have a taste of train ride alternatives.
Bus plan yet to take off
However, some of the transport companies were still charging normal fares in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, as of yesterday.
Their workers said they were yet to receive a directive to that effect from their head offices.
A manager of a Chisco Motors park in Owerri said: “The management has not given us any order or directive for such a discount.”
A cashier added: “It is a good development and many people have given the president thumps up.
“But we have not been directed to start the discount.”
Passengers traveling for Christmas from Enugu are also yet to benefit from the rebate.
None of the transport companies approved to convey passengers to various states at half the price was yet to commence the gesture.
A passenger at God Is Good Motors at Ogui Road, Enugu, who identified herself as Victoria Gwambe, said she paid the regular fare to Abuja.
A manager at The Young Shall Grow Motors in Enugu said the branch was yet to get any signal from head office to slash the price.
Travelers on the Warri-Lagos and Warri-Abuja routes urged the Federal Government to extend the fare slash to Delta.
The bus routes are Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Abuja, Lagos-Kaduna-Zaria, Lagos-Jos, Lagos-Enugu, Lagos-Onitsha, Lagos-Owerri, Lagos-Aba, Lagos-Abakaliki, Lagos-Nsukka, Lagos-Uyo, and Lagos-Port Harcourt.
Others are Onitsha-Kano, Onitsha-Lagos, Onitsha-Jos, Onitsha-Abuja, Onitsha-Sokoto, Onitsha-Gombe, Onitsha-Zakibiam, Port Harcourt-Owerri-Aba-Kano, Aba-Owerri-Abuja, Aba-Lagos, Abuja-Sokoto, Abuja-Lagos, Abuja-Onitsha-Owerri-Port Harcourt, Abuja-Enugu/Abakaliki, Abuja-Gombe and Abuja-Kano.
The subsidy programme will end on January 4, 2024.
Praises for Fed Govt
While many praised President Tinubu for the timely intervention, others pleaded for the expansion of the designated routes.
A social media user, Ayo Olorunsola tweeted: “@officialABAT did this. Just got two tickets for my son and my mum’s en route to Babatunde Raji Fashola Station. Thank you, my president”
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Setofunmi Alo said: “Free train tickets. This is not audio. Well done, President Tinubu and his team.”
Adetomiwa Niyi also tweeted: “I took the train this morning and to my surprise it was free. But it still doesn’t make up for everything you’ve done Tinubu”
Irechukwu Tochukwu on Facebook: “Thanks Mr President this one you remember Southeast. I see a better Nigeria”
Royston Joseph said: “Mr President’s intervention is greatly appreciated, thank you.”
Minister: five million passengers targeted
No fewer than five million passengers are targeted in the 50 percent transportation rebate, Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said.
He stressed that the aim is to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation.
Idris said: “In other to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation fares, the Federal Government targets to lift five million commuters during this yuletide season with the 50 percent transportation rebate.”
He said the five transporters were chosen for their track records and capacity.
“These five very well-established companies have been contacted because they already have a track record of moving people from one part of the country to another.
“The desire of government is not just to patronise a few people.
“These people have the track record and that is why they have been contacted to be part of this.
“If there are more people that have the capacity and there is a need to engage them, the government will just do that.
“The aim of this, of course, is to provide Nigerians with succour and remember, it is only for the period of Christmas and New Year.”
Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Dele Alake, who chairs the Inter-ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, told reporters: “The President is well aware of the recent increase in the cost of interstate transportation.
“It is in this wise that the Federal Government is announcing…a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.”
“Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via minibuses and luxury buses at a 50 percent discount of current cost.
“All our train services on the routes the trains currently serve will operate at zero cost to and fro this holiday season.
“This special presidential intervention will commence Thursday, December 21. It will end on January 4, 2024.”
The Nation
