The federal government on Friday launched a nationwide free train service to alleviate the high cost of transportation for passengers during the yuletide season,Daily Trust reports.
Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Ben Iloanusi, welcomed the first set of passengers arriving at the Kubwa train station in Abuja from Rigasa. He acknowledged safety concerns raised on the first day of the initiative and assured passengers that the NRC is taking steps to address these issues.
Iloanusi revealed that the free train service is expected to accommodate 20,000 passengers daily, with a target of providing free rides to 340,000 passengers before the initiative concludes in the first week of January.
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The service will operate seamlessly across five major routes:
- Abuja-Kaduna
- Lagos-Ibadan
- Warri-Itakpe
- Port Harcourt-Aba
- Lagos Mass Transit
Addressing concerns about racketeering, Iloanusi stated that the NRC’s ticketing portal is fully operational, with measures in place to prevent individuals from purchasing multiple tickets.
