FG, Lagos provide free rides for Xmas, New Year



The Federal and Lagos State governments have announced free rides this Yuletide and New Year season.

From Christmas eve to January 4 next year, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) will provide free transportation on all its routes across the country.

For Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved free rides on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors on Christmas and New Year day in celebration of the festive season.

NRC's Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria said, the decision, which was made in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation, is to ease movement of citizens during the yuletide.

”This is to help ease the cost of transportation and enable citizens to easily enjoy the festive period.

”Passengers are, however, advised to ensure they obtain their tickets from appropriate quarters at no cost, to enable them gain access and enter the trains.

”All passengers are also enjoined to observe and obey Covid-19 rules by wearing face masks, washing and sanitising of hands".

Okhiria also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure the safety of passengers and trains during the period.

On the Lagos free ride, the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo said the free commuter bus services are being offered to Lagosians in the spirit of joy, love and peace which the festive season signifies.

She assured that the Sanwo-Olu administration is committed to ensuring the execution of the Strategic Transport Master Plan via the Multimodal Transport System, currently taking shape through water transportation and the ongoing Blue and Red Lines rail projects.

“The Governor has given his promise for the commencement of passenger operations on the first two phases of the State’s rail lines – Blue and Red. He has demonstrated his commitment to the completion of both rail lines by sourcing funds for their completion and provision of rolling stock. What is therefore expected of Lagosians is to support him towards the realisation of the Greater Lagos vision”, Akinajo stated.

The Managing Director expressed the Lagos State Government’s gratitude for the patience and perseverance the citizenry has shown in the face of the discomfort accompanied with the construction of transport infrastructure, assuring that consistent and spirited efforts are being made to improve public transport and traffic management.

While extending yuletide compliments to all Lagosians, Akinajo enjoined everyone to observe all extant Covid-19 safety rules and travel safely during the festive period.


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