- Christmas Travel: 50% Train Fare Discount Sparks Rush Across Rail Corridors
- Early bookings reflected strong public response to the initiative
- The Yuletide train discount was described as a people-focused
The Federal Government’s 50 per cent Yuletide Train Ride commenced nationwide on Tuesday, recording a heavy turnout of passengers across major railway corridors as Nigerians took advantage of the fare reduction to travel for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Eko Hot Blog reports that at key stations along the Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge routes, as well as major narrow gauge lines, showed large crowds, with several train services operating at near full capacity.
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Early bookings reflected strong public response to the initiative, which significantly reduced the cost of festive travel.
The discounted rail service, implemented by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), was scheduled to run from Tuesday, December 23, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026, offering passengers a 50 per cent reduction on train fares nationwide.
In a statement issued by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, management said many passengers expressed appreciation for the reduced fares, describing the initiative as timely and economically relieving, particularly for families and group travellers returning home for the festive season.
The Yuletide train discount was described as a people-focused intervention under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at easing transportation costs, promoting inclusive mobility, and encouraging the use of rail transport as a safe and reliable alternative during peak travel periods.
Speaking on the commencement of the festive operations, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, assured passengers of the corporation’s readiness to sustain safe, efficient, and customer-oriented services throughout the holiday period.
The NRC confirmed that both standard gauge and narrow gauge services were fully operational, with enhanced security, safety, and customer service measures deployed across stations and onboard trains to manage increased passenger traffic resulting from the fare reduction.
Passengers on standard gauge routes were advised to continue using NRC-approved online booking platforms, while those travelling on narrow gauge lines were encouraged to purchase tickets at designated railway stations.
The corporation reiterated its commitment to smooth festive operations and urged passengers to cooperate with railway officials and adhere to travel guidelines to ensure seamless journeys throughout the Yuletide period.
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