The federal government has announced the names of five transport companies involved in the agreement for a 50 per cent fare reduction for travelling during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The special adviser to the president on communications and strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, named the transporters as God is Good Motors (GIGM), Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata and Area Motor.
He also announced 28 routes to enjoy the 50 per cent fare subsidy.
They are Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Abuja, Lagos-Kaduna-Zaria, Lagos-Jos, Lagos-Enugu, Lagos-Onitsha, Lagos-Owerri, Lagos-Aba, Lagos-Abakaliki, Lagos-Nsukka, Lagos-Uyo, Lagos-Port Harcourt, Onitsha-Kano and Onitsha-Lagos.
The others include Onitsha-Jos, Onitsha-Abuja, Onitsha-Sokoto, Onitsha-Gombe, Onitsha-Zakibiam, Port Harcourt-Owerri-Aba-Kano, Aba-Owerri-Abuja, Aba-Lagos, Abuja-Sokoto, Abuja-Lagos, Abuja-Onitsha-Owerri-Port Harcourt, Abuja-Enugu/Abakaliki, Abuja-Gombe and Abuja-Kano.
Recall that the minister of solid minerals development and chairman, inter-ministerial committee on presidential intervention, Mr Dele Alake, announced on Wednesday that the 50 per cent reduction in the fares was arrived at in conjunction with companies operating luxury buses.
According to Alake, the intervention will commence on Thursday, December 21 and end on January 4, 2024.
He stated that the rebate was meant for ordinary Nigerians travelling by road to their various destinations to see their loved ones during the Christmas and New Year.
The government had also announced a free train ride during the period.
“It is in this wise that the federal government is announcing…a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.
“What this means is that from tomorrow (Thursday), Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via luxury buses at a 50 per cent discount of current cost and all our train services on the routes the trains currently serve at zero cost to-and-fro on their travels this holiday season.”
The federal government through the ministry of transportation will be working with transporters, road transport unions, Nigerian Railway Corporation to seamlessly deliver on this special presidential initiative.
“Nigerians wishing to embark on inter-state travel to any part of the country from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto and other major inter-state transportation hubs will be able to do so at half the cost.
“The federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu is working very hard to make sure Nigerians have a memorable and happy holiday season.
“The president has already directed the police, Department of State Services (DSS) the military and other security agencies to work collaboratively to ensure the holiday period is safe without any security breach in any part of the country.
“While we wish all Nigerians a great holiday season, we implore everyone to be law abiding, be security conscious, be our brother’s keepers, extend every goodwill to our families, friends and neighbours. We should continue to work within our sphere of influence to make our country the very best we all desire her to be.
“While we celebrate and enjoy all the social activities that come with the season, let us also remember to celebrate in moderation,” Alake stated.
