The Federal Government has flagged off a free train ride across the country to ease travel costs and ensure Nigerians enjoy the festive season.
The initiative, which began on December 20, will run until January 5, 2025, and aims to ferry over 340,000 passengers during the period.
Speaking at the Kubwa train station in Abuja on Friday, the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Ben Iloanusi, announced the successful departure of the first free train ride from Abuja to Rigasa, Kaduna State.
He emphasized that enhanced security measures have been implemented to ensure safety, manage crowds, and maintain orderliness.
“This initiative is a grand idea by the Federal Government to reduce the financial burden on Nigerians during the yuletide. Passengers can book tickets online free of charge or be profiled by our staff at the station,” Iloanusi explained.
The free train ride covers routes including Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Port Harcourt-Aba, Lagos Mass Transit, and Warri-Itakpe.
Iloanusi encouraged passengers to arrive at stations at least 45 minutes before departure and bring valid identification such as a NIN, international passport, or driver’s licence.
Passengers shared mixed reactions to the initiative. Isah Slaisu, a public servant, praised the program for saving travel costs but called for better orderliness.
Meanwhile, Maria Balogun criticized the ticket booking process, alleging that some staff intentionally complicated online bookings. She also highlighted crowd control issues, noting that a rush at the station led to property damage.
Reacting to complaints, Iloanusi assured Nigerians that challenges in ticketing and crowd management would be resolved in the coming days, promising a seamless experience for travelers.
The Federal Government urged passengers to comply with station rules, maintain order, and take advantage of the free service as part of its broader effort to alleviate economic burdens during the festive season.
