FG Extends Free Train Rides, Gives New Deadline

The Federal Government has extended the free train ride initiative till Sunday, to further reduce financial pressure on travellers heading to various destinations after the festive period.

The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, told  the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday.

He said that 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 of the free train ride, adding that the gesture would to bring relief to travellers on transportation cost.

Recall that the NRC had announced the commencement of the free train rides on Dec. 21, 2023 for all its passenger services, following the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

The free train ride was initially to end on Thursday, before the extension till Sunday.

The Chairman, Committee on  Implementation of FG End of Year Transportation Subsidy Programme,Dr Dele Alake, had on Monday given an overview of the initiative in its first 10 days

Alake, who is Minister of Solid Minerals Resources, said the NRC conveyed 71,000 passengers free of charge from Dec. 21  to  Dec. 31, 2023, under the programme. (NAN)

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