Numerous travelers flocked to the designated motor parks in various states, including Abuja and Lagos, to take advantage of the 50% reduction in transport fares offered by the Federal Government.
The Ministry of Transportation, on behalf of the Federal Government, recently announced a partnership with stakeholders in the road transport sector to provide support to Nigerians traveling during the festive season.
Under this initiative, the government pledged to subsidize 50% of road travelers’ fares and also introduced free rail transportation starting December 20, 2024.
Despite facing initial challenges related to funding, the scheme was eventually set in motion to run from December 24, 2024, to January 5, 2025, on 144 routes connecting major cities.
Passengers at various terminals expressed their gratitude for the palliative scheme, noting the relief it provided amidst the financial strains of the season.
The government deployed staff and a monitoring system across all states to ensure the smooth execution of the initiative, aiming to accommodate over 288,000 road travelers and 320,000 rail passengers during the specified period.
Transport stakeholders, including bus owners and transport workers’ unions, collaborated with the government to implement the scheme, offering discounted fares to the traveling public.
The initiative, which runs until January 5, 2025, has seen a positive response from passengers, highlighting the government’s commitment to easing the burden of travel expenses for its citizens.