The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a 50 per cent reduction in train fares across the country for the yuletide season, in a move aimed at easing travel costs for Nigerians during the festive period.
The Managing Director of the corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed the development while explaining that the fare cut follows a directive from the Federal Government to cushion the impact of rising transportation costs.
According to Opeifa, the decision comes at a time when fares across other modes of transport have surged due to increased seasonal demand.
“People are now buying air tickets for as much as ₦500,000—when you even get a seat. By road, Abuja fares are about ₦100,000 and even higher in some cases. This is the game of the season; more people want to travel, and when demand is high, prices go up,” he said.
Why not free train rides?
Opeifa explained that while the NRC would have preferred to offer free train services, past experiences showed that such an approach created significant operational challenges.
“We would have loved to do it free, as we did before, but we learnt from that experience,” he stated.
Recalling earlier initiatives under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he noted that free train services resulted in overcrowding and inconvenience for regular commuters.
“There were too many people, including what we call ‘jolly riders’—those who would ride from Lagos to Ibadan, spend time at the station, and even return on the same train, thereby depriving people who genuinely needed to travel,” Opeifa explained.
Balancing affordability and order
According to the NRC boss, the decision to introduce heavily subsidised fares was taken to strike a balance between affordability, efficiency, and orderliness.
“This way, the common people can afford it, and even the elite benefit. Our hope is also that this will put pressure on other modes of transport to bring down their fares,” he added.
Improved passenger experience
Opeifa also assured Nigerians that rail services have been upgraded ahead of the festive rush, particularly with improvements to passenger facilities.
“Sometimes people complain about restrooms. I can assure you that all our restrooms are like brand new and air-conditioned. Passengers can be rest assured of better service this season,” he said.
Bottom line
With the 50 per cent fare reduction, the NRC aims to provide Nigerians with a safer, more affordable, and comfortable travel option during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, while also helping to stabilise transportation costs across the sector.
