FG extends free train rides to January 7

The Federal Government has extended the free rides for commuters on all train services to January 7, 2024.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) announced the commencement of the free train ride on December 21, 2023, for all passengers, following the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

The NRC said the free ride services introduced to cushion hardship in the country, especially during Yuletide, would end on Thursday, January 4, 2024.

However, the NRC Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, on Thursday, said the free train rides would end on Sunday, January 7.

He said the decision, made in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation, was to ease movement of Nigerians who had travelled during the festive period.

Okhiria urged passengers to continue to book their tickets online to avoid crowds at the various terminals.

The NRC boss urged passengers to ensure they got their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them to gain access and enter the trains.

Okhiria commended the federal government on the extension, adding that the gesture would to bring relief to travellers on transportation cost.

The Chairman of the Committee on Implementation of Federation Government End of Year Transportation Subsidy Programme, Dr Dele Alake, on Monday, gave an overview of the initiative in its first 10 days.

Alake, who is the Minister of Solid Minerals Resources, said the NRC conveyed 71,000 passengers from December 21 to December 31, 2023, under the programme.

The Star

Segun Ojo