January 01, (THEWILL) – No fewer than 112,000 passengers have so far benefitted from the 50 percent fare reduction on inter-state routes since the offer announced by the Federal Government took effect on Thursday, December 21, 2023, (to end on January 4, 2024).
This was disclosed by the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), in a press statement, in which they applauded the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government for introducing the unprecedented gesture of subsidising transport fares for Nigerians during the festive season.
Signed by the National President, Nonso Ubajaja and the Honorary Secretary, Frank Nneji, the press statement assured that ALBON member-companies have been mobilised towards ensuring that more passengers take advantage of the Federal Government’s ticket rebate to travel to various destinations before the offer ends on January 4, 2024.
“We wish to assure intending travellers that the issuance of the rebate tickets continue on the designated routes nationwide till January 4, 2024. And in view of the fact that many of the people who travelled for Christmas and the New Year celebrations, are likely to start returning to base soon, we have again mobilised our members for the return journeys”, the ALBON statement said.
For the return leg of the seasonal travels, the association disclosed that it is mobilising some state-owned transit companies to join in the project including Gombe State Mass Transit and Borno State Mass Transit, amongst others.
At some of the bus terminals and motor parks in Lagos where passengers have been benefitting from the 50 percent discount, passengers expressed their appreciation to the President and his administration for what they described as a timely palliative.
At some of the stations including those of ABC Transport PLC, Okeyson Motors, Izuchukwu Motors; E.Ekesons, Sunquick, Gobison Transport (at Alafia) and Vienna View Ltd, departing passengers thanked the government for alleviating the pain of high fares at the time of economic hardship.
The east-bound passengers, some of whom showed tickets that indicated they paid between N18,000 and N18,200, which was 50 percent of the prevailing fare of about N36,000.
One of the passengers, Mrs Ifeyinwa Okonkwo, who said the rebate provided a huge relief to her family, disclosed that she had given up hope of travelling with two of her children until she was able get the discounted tickets at N18,000 each.
The special fare discount was announced on Wednesday, December 20, but the ALBON members commenced the sale of the discounted tickets the following day, and will continue till January 4, 2024, according to their statement.
Among the routes approved by government for the fare slash are Lagos to major cities in the north south-east and south-south including, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Jos, Onitsha, Owerri, Enugu, Nsukka, Abakailiki, Aba, Uyo and Port Harcourt, among others.
Also listed are Onitsha to Lagos, and various destinations in the north, including, Kano, Abuja,Sokoto, Jos, and Gombe, as well as Aba-Owerri-Abuja; and Aba-Lagos.On Friday, the Presidency named additional motor parks in the country where discount can be obtained.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
