In a bid to ease transportation costs during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, President Bola Tinubu has approved free train rides nationwide from December 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025. This announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while addressing State House correspondents in Abuja.
According to Idris, the free train service is consistent with President Tinubu’s desire to cushion the effect of transportation costs, particularly for the most vulnerable Nigerians. This initiative is not new, as it was also implemented during the last Christmas period and the Sallah period.
The Minister emphasized that the free train service will be available to all Nigerians, nationwide, from December 20 to January 5. This move is expected to bring relief to many Nigerians who would have otherwise found it challenging to travel during the festive period.
It is worth noting that President Tinubu had previously approved a similar initiative in 2023, where the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) provided free train rides across the nation during the Christmas and New Year celebrations ¹. The NRC had also implemented a 50% reduction in interstate bus fares to enable people to travel for the holidays ².
The free train service is a welcome development, especially for low-income earners and vulnerable Nigerians who may not have been able to afford transportation costs during the festive period.
As the festive season approaches, Nigerians can look forward to enjoying free train rides, courtesy of President Tinubu’s administration. This initiative is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens, particularly during special occasions like Christmas and New Year celebrations.
