NIGERIA: FG Rolls Out 708 Vehicles, Halves Transport Fares For Yuletide Travelers

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Federal Government’s much-anticipated Yuletide Road Transportation Palliative officially kicked off on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, providing a 50 percent slash on interstate transport fares for Nigerians traveling across the country.

The initiative, which aims to ease the burden of high transport costs during the festive season, will run for 13 days, ending on Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Travelers departing from Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Owerri, and other major cities are among the beneficiaries of the scheme, which includes 708 vehicles deployed across 144 routes nationwide.

This development follows an agreement between the Federal Ministry of Transportation and key stakeholders in the road transport sector, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), and God is Good Motors (GIGM).

Originally slated to commence on December 20, 2024, the scheme faced delays due to funding challenges from the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking on the initiative in Abuja on Monday, Minister of Transport Said Alkali expressed regrets over the late start but assured Nigerians of smooth operations going forward.

“We understand the frustration caused by the delay,” Alkali said.

He added: “However, we’ve resolved the logistical issues, and the program is fully operational. This is our commitment to ensure Nigerians can travel affordably and safely this season.”

To ensure seamless operations, designated loading points have been established. In Abuja, travelers will board at Eagle Square starting at 6:00 a.m., while in Lagos, Northern-bound passengers will depart from Oshodi Terminal 3, and those heading South will use Oshodi Terminal 2.

Under the arrangement, transport unions and operators have been allocated specific routes. ALBON will oversee 32 routes, NURTW 22 routes, RTEAN 12 routes, and the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) three routes.

God is Good Motors has been assigned four routes, with its operations beginning today at Oshodi and Eagle Square terminals.

Speaking on the scheme, GIGM Chief Executive Officer Enahoro Ekhae emphasized the company’s readiness. “Our buses are stationed and ready to go. Passengers can even book their tickets online via our app for a smoother experience,” Ekhae said.

At Oshodi Terminal in Lagos, hundreds of passengers were seen queued early to take advantage of the reduced fares.