To enable more Nigerians who have not yet returned to their stations to take advantage of the benefit, President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the Yuletide free train service until Sunday, January 7.
This was disclosed in a statement that Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, the minister of transportation, signed on Thursday, January 4.
In an effort to lessen the financial strain of expensive public transportation over the recently finished Christmas and New Year's holidays, the federal government provided free train service on all serviced routes and a 50% rebate on road transportation from December 21, 2023 to January 4, on certain routes.
The statement read: “While over 163,000 Nigerians benefited from successful first leg of the yuletide initiative, President Tinubu, in further demonstration of his care for the welfare of Nigerians, directed that the free train service should be made available for extra 3 days to allow more Nigerians to take the advantage
“The public is advised to note that this extension applies to all three routes currently being serviced by the Nigerian Railway Corporation as follows:
Lagos-Ibadan
Warri-Itakpe
Abuja-Kaduna
“Passengers are encouraged to take full advantage of this unique opportunity, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting the welfare and well-being of its citizens.
“Whether returning home, visiting family, or simply enjoying a scenic train journey, this extension offers a safe, reliable, and cost-free way to travel.