By Folarin Kehinde, Abuja
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Company (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has introduced a 50 per cent discount in prepare fares nationwide for the Yuletide season as a part of efforts by the Federal Authorities to ease the price of journey for Nigerians.
Opeifa disclosed this on TVC Information Breakfast shared on his X deal with, noting that the low cost will run from December 23 to January 4.
In keeping with him, the fare discount is coming at a time when transportation prices throughout different modes have risen sharply as a consequence of elevated seasonal demand.
“Individuals at the moment are shopping for air tickets for as a lot as ₦500,000—whenever you even get a seat. By highway, Abuja fares are about ₦100,000 and even greater in some instances. That is the sport of the season; extra individuals wish to journey, and as economists say, when demand is excessive, costs go up,” he mentioned.
Opeifa defined that the choice to slash rail fares was taken following a directive by the Federal Authorities, including that the NRC absolutely aligns with the coverage as a public company.
“We’re slashing our fares by 50 per cent. We might have beloved to do it free, as we did earlier than, however we learnt from that have,” he said.
He recalled that when free prepare providers had been launched in earlier years below the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the initiative led to vital challenges for normal commuters.
“We seen loads of discomfort for normal prepare customers. There have been too many individuals, together with what we name ‘jolly riders’—those that would journey from Lagos to Ibadan, spend time on the station, and even return on the identical prepare, thereby depriving individuals who genuinely wanted to journey,” Opeifa defined.
In keeping with him, the NRC opted for a closely subsidised fare as a substitute, to strike a stability between affordability and orderliness.
“This fashion, the widespread individuals can afford it, and even the elite profit. Our hope can be that this can put stress on different modes of transport to convey down their fares,” he added.
The NRC boss additional assured Nigerians that rail providers have been improved forward of the festive rush, significantly by way of passenger consolation.
“Generally individuals complain about restrooms. I can guarantee you that every one our restrooms are like model new and air-conditioned. Passengers might be relaxation assured of higher service this season,” he mentioned.
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