The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a 50% reduction in train fares for commuters during the festive season, effective from Tuesday.
The move is intended to ease travel expenses for passengers at a time when transportation costs on other modes of travel are rising.
NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, made the announcement on TVC News Breakfast on Monday, revealing that the discounted fares will be available from December 23 to January 4.
“We are reducing our fares by 50% as directed by the Federal Government. We agree with this approach because we are a public corporation. While we would have loved to offer free travel like last year, previous experiences showed that completely free fares caused discomfort for regular commuters,” Opeifa explained.
Highlighting the surge in costs for other transport options, Opeifa said, “While other transport modes are increasing fares, passengers are now paying up to N500,000 for a ticket, sometimes more. This is largely due to high demand during the season.”
He also noted issues such as overcrowding and “jolly riders”—passengers who take short trips but occupy seats, limiting availability for longer-distance travelers. “We have more passengers than we can accommodate. Some people ride only from Lagos to Ibadan, which prevents others from boarding. This discount ensures that travel is affordable for everyone, including both common commuters and those who cannot otherwise afford it,” he added.
Opeifa further promised enhancements in service quality, including upgraded amenities and facilities. “We have improved our services. All our restaurants are refurbished and air-conditioned, ensuring passengers have a comfortable experience,” he said.
The NRC expects the fare reduction to relieve financial pressure on commuters during the festive period.
The decision comes amid rising travel costs across other modes, with domestic airfares reportedly surpassing N300,000 on some routes due to high demand and limited availability. Lawmakers have called for reductions in aviation taxes to ease the burden on travelers.
Last year, NRC also cut train fares by 50% to help Nigerians travel home for the holidays, a move that received positive feedback from commuters.
