NRC SLASHES TRAIN FARES BY 50% FOR YULETIDE COMMUTERS
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The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a 50 per cent reduction in train fares nationwide for the Yuletide season, as part of efforts to ease the financial burden on commuters amid rising transportation costs.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed the development on Monday during an interview on TVC News Breakfast, saying the fare slash would take effect from Tuesday, December 23, and run until January 4.
According to Opeifa, the decision followed a directive from the Federal Government and reflects the public service mandate of the corporation.
“We are slashing our fares by 50 per cent. We would have loved to make it free, as we did last year, but when we did so in the last two years under the current administration, we observed significant discomfort for regular commercial users,” he said.
He explained that the fare reduction was designed to provide relief to commuters at a time when the cost of travel through other modes has surged sharply.
“While other modes of transportation are increasing their fares, people are now paying as much as N500,000 for tickets, even when a seat is available. By road, it is also much higher,” Opeifa noted.
The NRC boss attributed the spike in road and bus fares to increased demand during the festive season, describing it as a supply-and-demand challenge driven by heightened travel activities.
Opeifa also highlighted operational challenges faced by the railway, including overcrowding and the activities of “jolly riders” who occupy seats for short trips, thereby limiting access for long-distance travellers. He said the fare cut was intended to make train travel more affordable and accessible to both low-income and elite passengers during the holiday period.
In addition, he assured commuters of improved service delivery, including upgraded facilities and enhanced passenger comfort.
“All our restaurants are brand new and air-conditioned. Passengers can be assured of improved amenities and a better travel experience,” he said.
The fare reduction comes amid soaring transportation costs and heightened safety concerns ahead of the festive season. Domestic airfares have reportedly surged, with tickets on some routes exceeding N300,000 due to high demand and limited aircraft availability, prompting calls by lawmakers for reductions in aviation taxes.
Commuters are also grappling with increased inter-city road transport fares, despite warnings by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission against arbitrary price hikes by transport operators.
Additionally, concerns over insecurity on major highways have heightened travel anxieties, with reports of attacks and abductions forcing many Nigerians to reconsider long road journeys during the Yuletide season.
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