The Federal Ministry of Transportation has announced the commencement of 2024 Yuletide Road Transportation Palliative to ease travel for Nigerians during the festive season.
The initiative, set to kick off on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, will offer a 50 percent discount on road transport fares for travelers heading to various destinations across the country.
This was disclosed by Olujimi Oyetomi, director of press and public relations, Ministry of Transportation, on Monday.
Ahmed Alkali, minister of transportation, launched the scheme with a directive to the leadership of key transportation unions, including the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), God is Good Motors (GIGM), and the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON).
These groups have been tasked to ensure timely deployment of palliative buses at designated loading points nationwide.
The scheme will operate for 13 days, concluding on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Over 700 buses will be deployed to 144 routes, covering all state capitals except Anambra, which will use Onitsha as its terminal.
According to the ministry, the initiative aims to transport an estimated 271,104 passengers to and from their destinations during the program’s duration.
Travelers in Abuja can access the palliative buses from Eagle Square, with departure times starting at 6:00 a.m. daily. In Lagos, passengers heading to northern routes will board at Oshodi Terminal 3, while those traveling south will use Oshodi Terminal 2. Also, some luxury buses will depart from Oshodi between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. daily.
While acknowledging initial delays in the scheme due to logistical challenges, Alkali reassured Nigerians that these issues have been resolved. He emphasised the need for passengers to avoid rushing to secure seats, given the limited number of vehicles available, to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience.
In addition to the road transport initiative, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is providing 100 percent free train rides on its six operational corridors nationwide for the festive season.
The ministry of transportation encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the approved route maps and designated parks for both departures and arrivals. The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on citizens and ensure seamless travel during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Nigerians who intend to use this scheme from Abuja will take off from Eagle Square by 6.00 a.m., while those who are taking off from Lagos are to use Oshodi Terminal 3 for those going Northern routes and Oshodi Terminal 2 for those going Southern routes. Time for daily take-off is 6 a.m. However, some of the participating luxury buses are taking off by 6-7p.m. daily from Oshodi, Lagos.
“Passengers intending to take advantage of the Yuletide Road Transportation Palliative should note that they will be required to pay 50 percent of the cost that they will otherwise pay.
“The management of federal ministry of transportation has further advised that Nigerians should please avoid rushing in the face of the limited numbers of vehicles designated for the 2024 Yuletide Bus Palliative to avoid unpleasant experiences.
“144 routes from Abuja and Lagos to all State Capitals except Anambra, which will be Onitsha with 708 vehicles have planned for the 2024 Yuletide Road Transport Palliative.
“Kicking off on Tuesday, 24th of December, 2024, and running till Sunday, 5th January 2025, means that the scheme will last for 13 days, Alkali stated.
“It should be recalled that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is already running 100 percent free-train ride on its 6 corridors across the country.
“For the 2024 Yuletide and New Year (Up to 5th of January, 2025), it is hoped that 16, 944 persons will be moved to and fro daily with 271,104 passengers will be moved to and fro across the nation,” the ministry noted.
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