The Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, don announce say train fare don reduce by 50 per cent nationwide to help Nigerians travel cheap during dis Christmas and New Year period.
Opeifa yarn dis one during interview for TVC News Breakfast, wey e later post for im official X handle. According to am, the fare reduction go start from December 23 go reach January 4.
He talk say the decision come at a time when transport fare for road and air don skyrocket because many people wan travel for festive season.
“Air ticket don reach ₦500,000 sef if you lucky get seat. Road transport from Abuja fit reach ₦100,000 or pass that. Na demand and supply matter — when people plenty wan travel, price go rise,” Opeifa talk.
The NRC oga explain say Federal Government na give directive make dem reduce fare, and as government agency, NRC gree follow the policy.
“We don slash our fare by 50 per cent. We for like make am free like before, but we learn lesson from that experience,” he add.
Opeifa remind Nigerians say when dem make train free during past Yuletide under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, e cause plenty wahala for regular passengers.
“Too many people enter train, including people wey just wan ride for fun. Some go Lagos to Ibadan, wait small, come return same day, and people wey really need travel no get seat,” he explain.
Because of that, NRC decide say subsidised fare better pass free service, so e go balance affordability and order.
“This one go help common man travel well, and even big men go benefit. We also hope say e go force road and air transport operators reduce their own fare,” he add.
The NRC boss also assure Nigerians say rail services don improve well for the festive rush, especially passenger comfort.
“Some people dey complain about toilet before, but now all our restrooms don new and dey air-conditioned. Passengers go enjoy better service dis season,” Opeifa assure.
