Deborah Akinyosoye
No fewer than 271,104 passengers are expected to benefit from the 50 per cent transport fare rebate initiated by the Federal Government to support travellers during this Yuletide.
It is estimated that 16, 944 persons will be moved to and fro daily.
The programme, which goes into effect today will run for 13 days. It will terminate on January 5.
Transportation Minister, Senator Ahmed Alkali gave the breakdown yesterday.
According to the plan, 708 vehicles would ply 144 routes, from Abuja and Lagos to all state capitals, except Anambra State.
For Anambra, the Federal Government said the take off and terminal point would be Onitsha.
It is the second time the Federal Government would devise the price slash method to cushion the effects of high transport fares.
The minister directed 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) – to ensure that the palliative buses are moved to the designated loading points early today to move passenger who seek to take advantage of the initiative to join their loved ones across the country for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Alkali lamented in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, that the scheme is taking off late.
He explained that the delay was due to some logistic issues, which have now been largely sorted out.
The statement reads: “Nigerians who intend to use the scheme from Abuja will take off from Eagle Square by 6.00 a.m. while those who are taking off from Lagos to the North are to use Oshodi Terminal 3 and Oshodi Terminal 2 for those going Southern routes.
“Time for daily take-off is 6 a.m. However, some of the participating luxury buses are taking off by 6-7p.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 that they will otherwise have paid”.
The ministry advised Nigerians to avoid rushing in the face of the limited number of vehicles to avoid unpleasant experiences.