The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has commenced free train service for all commuters plying the Lagos-Ibadan train routes for fifteen days.
Our correspondent who visited the Mobolaji Johnson Station in Lagos on Friday, December 22, observed excitement in the faces of many passengers.
A handful of passengers who were at the departure terminal patiently waited for the arrival of the evening train which departed for Ibadan around 4 pm.
This development is in accordance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive aimed at providing relief to citizens who are struggling with the high cost of transportation, especially during the festive season.
The free service which commenced on Thursday, December 21, will go on till Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Passengers have been advised to obtain their free tickets via the online e-ticketing platforms only.
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The district manager for NRC in Lagos, Augustine Arisa, told our correspondent that tickets will not be issued at the train station, adding that no commuter will be allowed to board the train without a ticket.
He explained that passengers will get to enjoy the free train service in the morning (8:00 am) and in the evening (4:00 pm).
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A passenger, Bisi Akanni expressed joy over the free train service. She commended the federal government for the laudable initiative.
She said: “I thought the directive wouldn’t be implemented when I booked my ticket, I got it online and it was seamless. I arrived here, and no one asked me to pay anything. Kudos to the Federal Government for this”.
Another passenger, Segun Adekanmbi who spoke to The Nation, thanked President Tinubu for easing the burden off Nigerians during the yuletide.
He said: “This is a great initiative by the Federal Government, and I think it is going to be beneficial to the citizens. It will go a long way to relieve many passengers.”