The Federal Government has announced a 50% reduction in interstate transport fares for the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations, providing significant relief to Nigerians traveling during the festive season. The fare reduction is set to take effect from the start of the 2024 Yuletide road transportation period.
The announcement, made by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Transportation, Olujimi Oyetomi, confirmed that passengers will now pay only half the usual fare for bus travel to various destinations across the country. This initiative, declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians during the holiday season.
The fare reduction was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by key transport stakeholders, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), the Association of Luxurious Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), and God is Good Motors. The MOU was signed in a ceremony led by the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, and attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Adeleye Adeoye.
Under the new arrangement, passengers traveling from major transport hubs in Abuja and Lagos (Oshodi) to destinations across the country will benefit from the discounted fares. This move is part of the government’s broader effort to alleviate transportation costs during the busy festive period, enhancing accessibility for families and ensuring smoother travel for those celebrating the season.
With the Yuletide season approaching, the fare reduction is expected to boost travel volumes and ease the financial strain on many Nigerians who rely on road transport to visit family and loved ones during Christmas and New Year.
