By Abidemi Samuel
Kindly share this news
The Federal Government’s free train service initiative, launched to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivals, has entered its third day, witnessing a significant surge in the number of passengers across the nation. According to reports, the President Bola Tinubu government’s free train ride initiative commenced on Friday, providing relief to Nigerians struggling with economic challenges.
However, some individuals were stranded after failing to book their tickets online in advance, a requirement many overlooked. At the Idu and Kubwa Train stations in Abuja, many passengers benefited from the initiative as the train coaches were filled to capacity.
Speaking on the number of passengers expected to benefit from the gesture, the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Ben Iloanusi, revealed that no fewer than 340,000 passengers would enjoy the free train ride across six corridors during the festive period. This initiative aims to provide relief to Nigerians struggling with economic challenges, with approximately 20,000 passengers expected to benefit daily.
The free train rides will operate on six major routes, including:
Abuja-Kaduna: Connecting the federal capital to the Kaduna state
Lagos-Ibadan: Linking the economic hub of Lagos to the city of Ibadan
Port Harcourt-Aba: Connecting the oil-rich city of Port Harcourt to Aba
Lagos Mass Transit: Providing transportation within Lagos
Warri-Itakpe: Linking the cities of Warri and Itakpe
Iloanusi emphasized that passengers with valid tickets and identification would be prioritized during boarding. For those unable to secure tickets online, NRC staff will profile passengers at the stations to ensure fair access.
“We appeal to Nigerians to enjoy this initiative in an orderly manner. Arrive at the station at least 45 minutes before departure, have a valid means of identification, and please obey the rules,” Iloanusi added.
Kindly share this news!!!