December 22, (THEWILL) – The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), the owners and operators of long-distance mass transit inter-state bus service nationwide, has assured the travelling public that its members have commenced full implementation of the 50 percent fare reduction approved by President Bola Tinubu.
A statement signed jointly by ALBON President, Nonso Ubajaka and Secretary, Frank Nneji, said members’ vehicles are now collecting 50 percent of the applicable fares on the routes announced by the Federal Government when the presidential gesture was announced on Wednesday, of under-listed routes being operated by its members
The special fare discount, which takes effect from Thursday, December 21, 2023, will end on January 4, 2024.
The statement enjoined passengers travelling during this festive period to take advantage of the President’s magnanimous gesture intended to lessen their transportation costs to travel to their various destinations.
Some of the routes listed 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 covered 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. Passengers departing Abuja to Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos, Onitsha/Owerri/Port Harcourt, Enugu/Abakaliki, Kano and Gombe routes will also pay only half of the current fares.
“All our members’ companies are involved in this exercise. They include, among others: Young Shall Grow Nig Ltd; Chisco Transport Ltd; Izuchukwu Transport Nig. Ltd; ABC Transport Plc; GUO Transport Ltd; God Bless Ezewanta Nig. Ltd; SD Express Ltd; Welfare Transport Nig. Ltd; Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd; E Ekesons Nig. Ltd; Ifeanyi Chukwu Industries & Commercial Ltd; Bonnyway Motor Ltd; Delta Express Ltd; and God Is Good Motors Ltd.,” it said.
The listed operators involved in the fare discount “are providing 11,118 seats per day for the duration of the exercise,” which ends on January 4, 2024.
The release further stated: “All intending passengers on the above listed are requested to go to our members’ various bus stations nationwide to book and board our buses on payment of only 50 percent (half the price) of the prevailing or current bus fare during the period on the principle of ‘first come, first served,’ on the daily basis during the period.
“The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria once again commends and salutes the Federal Government of Nigeria under the listening and responsive leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for this great package for the travelling masses.
“We also thank the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Ahmed Saad Alkali, for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring that Mr. President’s magnanimous gesture for the travelling masses during this festive period is fully implemented.”
This indeed is the dawn of the “Renewed Hope for us in the luxury bus industry and our numerous passengers nationwide.”
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.
