One hundred and twenty-eight travellers from Abuja to Gombe, Bauchi, Yola, Maiduguri and other destinations in the north were freighted to their locations by paying half of the transport fares on Christmas Day, according to the Situation Room Monitoring Team of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMT).
This was in compliance with the directive of President Bola Tinubu for a 50 per cent discount on transport fares during the yuletide.
The passengers got immediate reimbursement of 50 per cent of the transport fares through the Chairman of the Association of Luxury Bus Owners (ALBON)’s Task Force on the Implementation of the Discount, Chief Clement Okuefuna. He conducted the disbursement in cash at the Area 1 Motor Park, Abuja, from where most of the buses took off.
Since the routes to the north are mostly serviced by low-capacity vehicles, ALBON initiated a work arrangement with the Federal Capital Territory’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). ALBON also publicised venues for boarding the vehicles where passengers could be reimbursed 50 per cent of the fares.
As early as 5 am, four 16-seater capacity buses began loading from Area 1 Park in Abuja, and were dispatched to Gombe. One 16-seater bus was loaded with travellers who also got the presidential discount, and headed to Bauchi, while two other buses were loaded and left for Yola and Maiduguri.
The last 16-seater passenger bus got its passenger refunded half of the transport fares paid, and left for Bauchi and Maiduguri, rounding off the operation at Area 1 Motor Park, Abuja.
The 50 per cent fare discount is expected to run till 4th January 2024.
