The Federal Government has officially commenced a free train ride initiative across Nigeria to ease the financial burden on citizens and ensure a smooth travel experience during the festive season.
The initiative, which runs from December 20, 2024, to January 5, 2025, is expected to benefit thousands of Nigerians traveling across key routes in the country.
Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Ben Iloanusi, announced that the Corporation aims to transport over 340,000 passengers during this period.
Speaking at the Kubwa train station in Abuja on Friday, Iloanusi confirmed that the first train had departed from Abuja to Rigasa, Kaduna State, marking the official commencement of the palliative scheme.
Enhanced Security and Crowd Control Measures
To ensure smooth operations and passenger safety, Iloanusi revealed that security measures have been strengthened at train stations across the country.
He emphasized the importance of orderliness, urging passengers to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure and to carry valid identification, such as a National Identity Number (NIN), international passport, or driver’s license.
He said: “Today is the first free ride palliative set by the federal government, and It’s a very grand idea. We assure Nigerians that we will enforce the free train ride and make sure it goes successfully.”
Ticket Booking Process and Boarding Requirements
On the procedure for boarding, Iloanusi explained that passengers must book tickets online free of charge.
Those unable to secure tickets online would be manually profiled by NRC staff before boarding. This measure is aimed at minimizing fraudulent ticket sales and controlling the crowd.
“Prospective passengers are expected to book their tickets online free of charge and then come with a means of identification to the station before boarding and for those who may be unable to get tickets online, they would be profiled by our staff before they board,” he stated.
To avoid ticket hoarding, the NRC has limited ticket purchases to a maximum of two per person. This move is intended to prevent individuals from buying multiple tickets and reselling them to desperate passengers.
Expected Passenger Turnout and Operating Routes
Iloanusi disclosed that the NRC expects to transport around 20,000 passengers daily, totaling approximately 340,000 passengers over the duration of the program.
The free train ride covers major routes, including:
– Abuja–Kaduna
– Lagos–Ibadan
– Port Harcourt–Aba
– Lagos–Mass Transit
– Warri–Itakpe
On the number of passengers the Corporation estimates to transport during the yuletide, he said: “We have an average of 20,000 passengers every day that will ride the train free of charge. So approximately, we are going to carry about 340,000 passengers over the period. We are expecting this to last until early January. So today, on average, we’ve done 20,000 across the routes where the free train ride is happening.
“The routes are Abuja-Kaduna route, Lagos-Ibadan route, Port Harcourt-Aba route, Lagos-Mass Transit route, and Wari-Itakpe route. Today, all the routes went seamlessly. The passengers boarded those with tickets and those without tickets. The ones without tickets were profiled.”
