Christmas Travel Made Easy! FG Launches 50% Discount on Transport for 144 Routes Across Nigeria

By Achimi Muktar

As Nigerians prepare for the festive season, the Federal Government has announced a transportation palliative offering a 50% discount on fares across 144 routes nationwide. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Transportation, will begin on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, and run until Sunday, January 5, 2025.

Making Yuletide Travel Affordable

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, unveiled the initiative as part of efforts to ease the burden of travel during the 2024 Christmas and New Year festivities. A statement by Olujimi Oyetomi, Director of Press and Public Relations for the ministry, confirmed the launch, branding it the “2024 Yuletide Road Transportation Palliative.”

According to the statement, major transportation unions, including the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), God Is Good Motors (GIGM), and the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), have been directed to ensure timely deployment of palliative buses to designated loading points.

Where and When to Catch the Palliative Buses

Abuja Departure Point: Eagle Square, with daily take-offs starting at 6:00 a.m.

Lagos Departure Points: Oshodi Terminal 3 (northern routes) and Oshodi Terminal 2 (southern routes). Additional luxury buses will depart daily between 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Passengers heading to state capitals across the nation—except for Anambra, where buses will terminate in Onitsha—can take advantage of the discounted fares.

What to Expect

A total of 144 routes are covered under the scheme.

708 vehicles have been allocated for the palliative program.

Passengers will pay 50% of the usual fare to travel to their destinations.

The ministry advised travelers to avoid rushing or overcrowding, emphasizing the limited number of vehicles available under the scheme.

Dates to Remember

The 13-day initiative kicks off on December 24, 2024, and concludes on January 5, 2025, providing an affordable travel option for Nigerians seeking to reunite with loved ones for the holidays.

A Festive Lifeline

This palliative comes as a welcome relief for many Nigerians facing economic challenges, allowing them to celebrate the holidays without the added financial strain of high transport costs. With the government’s intervention, the season of joy is set to be a little brighter for travelers across the country.