FG launches 50% discount bus scheme for 2024 Yuletide road transport

The federal government has rolled out bus stations for the commencement of the 2024 Yuletide Road Transportation Palliative.

The government has directed the road transport unions to move their buses to the designated loading points early on December 24, 2024, to begin moving Nigerians who seek to take advantage of the Road Transport for Christmas (2024) and New Year’s Day (2025) celebrations.

It would be recalled that the federal government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the leadership of Road Transportation Unions – Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), God is Good Motors (GIGM), and Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON).

The Minister of Transportation, Sa’id Alkali, during the flag-off yesterday, expressed regret that the scheme was taking off late, stating that the delay was due to some logistical issues, which have now been largely sorted.

He stated, “Nigerians who intend to use this scheme from Abuja will take off from Eagle Square by 6:00 a.m., while those who are taking off from Lagos are to use Oshodi Terminal 3 for those going northern routes and Oshodi Terminal 2 for those going southern routes. The time for daily take-off is 6 a.m. However, some of the participating luxury buses are taking off between 6-7 p.m. daily from Oshodi, Lagos.”

“Passengers intending to take advantage of the Yuletide Road Transportation Palliative should note that they will be required to pay 50% of the cost they would otherwise pay.”

He urged Nigerians to avoid rushing in the face of the limited number of vehicles designated for the 2024 Yuletide Bus Palliative to avoid unpleasant experiences.

Alkali disclosed that the buses would be travelling to 144 routes from Abuja and Lagos to all state capitals except Anambra, which will be Onitsha. He added that 708 vehicles are planned for the 2024 Yuletide Road Transport Palliative.

The palliative, according to him, will last for 13 days, starting on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and running until Sunday, January 5, 2025.

It should be recalled that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is already running a 100% free-train ride on its 6 corridors across the country.

He stated that it is expected that about 17,588 persons will be moved to and from daily, and 288,644 passengers will be moved to and from across the nation.