The Nigerian Railway Corporation has launched a free train ride program to accommodate about 340,000 passengers during the holiday season. This initiative is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to provide relief for Nigerians traveling on major routes, promoting accessible and affordable transportation throughout the festive period.
Ben Iluanosi, the Acting Managing Director of the NRC, addressed attendees at Kubwa Station following the first successful free ride. He stated, “This marks the initiation of the free ride program established by the federal government.”
Iluanosi emphasized the NRC’s dedication to the initiative’s effectiveness. “We are committed to making this free train ride a success. Today’s operation went well, as we boarded all passengers—first those with tickets and then profiling those without to verify their identities before boarding. The key point is that everyone traveled at no cost,” he explained.
He outlined the program’s scale, indicating that around 20,000 passengers will benefit daily, totaling approximately 340,000 over the duration of the initiative.
The train routes include Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Port Harcourt-Aba, Lagos Mass Transit, and Warri-Itape, all of which operated smoothly this morning.
To address ticketing and crowd management concerns, Iluanosi urged passengers to organize their travel plans in advance. “Passengers, whether ticketed or not, were able to board. I ask that Nigerians take advantage of this great initiative in an orderly fashion. Currently, tickets for tomorrow are available online, so I encourage early booking.”
He also mentioned measures taken to prevent misuse of the free service. “Security has been heightened; additional personnel are present to maintain order. To limit ticket hoarding, individuals can purchase a maximum of two tickets at a time.”
Regarding issues with the e-ticketing system, Iluanosi acknowledged challenges but highlighted improvements. “We have enhanced the e-ticketing solution for faster processing. If issues arise while booking, please reach out to our support center; contact information is available on our portal.”
The free train rides will continue until January 4 or 5, 2024, with further details to be provided by the NRC.
