Yesterday, the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON) officially verified that its members have initiated the complete enforcement of the 50 percent price reduction on the designated routes specified by the Federal Government for travellers during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Excitement also filled the air yesterday at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station as hundreds of travellers began to take advantage of the free train service offered by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on the Lagos-Ibadan train routes for 15 days.
The luxury bus owners, who operate interstate bus service, said in a statement that the implementation of the discounted fare began on Thursday and will run through January 4, 2024.
President Bola Tinubu approved the fare reduction to ease movement by Nigerians during the festive periods.
Security is being beefed up across the country by the agencies saddled with such responsibilities.
The President of ALBON, Mr. Nonso Ubajaka and the Secretary, Mr. Frank Nneji, enjoined passengers travelling during this festive period to “take advantage of this magnanimous gesture of Mr President to alleviate their transportation cost to their various destinations during this festive period.”
They said 11,118 seats would be available per day for passengers during the duration of the exercise.
The operators are: Young Shall Grow Nig Ltd, Chisco Transport Ltd, Izuchukwu Transport Nig. Ltd, ABC Transport Plc, God Bless Ezewanta Nig. Ltd, SD Express Ltd, Welfare Transport Nig. Ltd, Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd, E Ekeson Nig. Ltd., Ifeanyi Chukwu Industries & Commercial Ltd, Bonnyway Motor Ltd., Delta Express Ltd, and God Is Good Motors Ltd.
ALBON listed the available routes to include Lagos-Kano; Onisha-Abuja; Lagos-Abuja; Onisha-Sokoto; Lagos-Kaduda-Zaria; Onisha-Gombe; Lagos-Jos; Onisha- Zakibiam; Lagos-Enugu; Ph-Owerri-Aba-Kano; Lagos-Onisha; Aba-Owerri-Abj; Lagos Owerri; Aba-Lagos; Lagos-Aba; Abuja-Gombe; Lagos-Abakaliki; Abuja-Lagos; Lagos-Nsuka; Abuja-Enugu, Abakaliki; Lagos-Uyo; Abuja-Onisha-Aba; Lagos-Ph; Abuja-Ph.
Others are Onisha-Kano; Abuja-Kano; Onisha-Lagos; Abuja-Sokoto; Onisha-Jos; and Abuja-Maidugiri.
The statement said, “All intending passengers on the above list are requested to go to our members’ various bus stations nationwide to book and board our buses on payment of only 50% (half the price) of the prevailing or current bus fare during the period on the principle of “First Come, First Served Basis” on the daily basis during the period.
“The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria once again commends and salutes the Federal Government of Nigeria under the listening and responsive leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for this great package for the traveling masses. We also thank the Honourable Minister of Transportation Senator Ahmed Saad Alkali for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring that Mr. President magnanimous gesture for the traveling masses during this festive period is fully implemented.
“This indeed is the dawn of the RENEWED HOPE for us in the Luxury Bus industry and our numerous passengers nationwide.”
Excitement as passengers enjoy free train service for Lagos-Ibadan rail
Scores of passengers were seen yesterday at the departure terminal of the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station in Lagos awaiting the arrival of the evening train which was scheduled to leave for Ibadan at 4 pm.
