ALBON Begins Full Implementation of  50% Fare Discount on Various Routes

Bennett  Oghifo

The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), the owners and operators of long distance mass transit interstate bus service nationwide, has assured the travelling public that its members have commenced full implementation of the 50 percent fare reduction approved by President Bola Tinubu.

A statement signed jointly by ALBON President, Nonso Ubajaka and the Honorary Secretary, Frank Nneji, said members’ vehicles are now collecting 50 percent of the applicable fares on the routes announced by the Federal Government when the presidential gesture was announced on Wednesday.

The special fare discount will take effect during the festive period on Thursday, December 21, 2023, and will end on January 4, 2024.

The press statement enjoined passengers travelling during this festive period to take advantage of the President’s magnanimous gesture intended to lessen their transportation cost, to travel to their various destinations.

Some of the routes listed are Lagos to major cities in the north, and south-east, and south-south, including, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Jos, Onitsha, Owerri, Enugu, Nsukka, Abakailiki, Aba, Uyo and Port Harcourt, among others.

Also covered are Onitsha to Lagos, and various destinations in the north, including, Kano, Abuja,Sokoto, Jos, and Gombe, as well as Aba-Owerri-Abuja; and Aba-Lagos.

Passengers departing Abuja to Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos, Onitsha/Owerri/Port Harcourt, Enugu/Abakaliki, Kano and Gombe routes, will also pay only half of the current fares.

The ALBON statement also said, “All our members’ companies are involved in this exercise. They include, among others: Young Shall Grow Nig Ltd; Chisco Transport Ltd; Izuchukwu Transport Nig. Ltd; ABC Transport Plc; GUO Transport Ltd; God Bless Ezewanta Nig. Ltd; SD Express Ltd; Welfare Transport Nig. Ltd; Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd; E Ekesons Nig. Ltd; Ifeanyi Chukwu Industries & commercial Ltd; Bonnyway Motor Ltd; Delta Express Ltd; and God Is Good Motors Ltd.

The listed operators involved in the fare discount “are providing 11,118 seats per day for the duration of the exercise,” which ends on January 4, 2024.

The press release further started, “All intending passengers on the above listed are requested to go to our members various bus stations nationwide to book and board our buses on payment of only 50 percent (half the price) of the prevailing or current bus fare during the period on the principle of ‘first come, first served,’ on the daily basis during the period”

“The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria once again commends and salutes the Federal Government of Nigeria under the listening and responsive leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for this great package for the traveling masses. We also thank the Honourable Minister of Transportation Senator Ahmed Saad Alkali for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring that Mr. President’s magnanimous gesture for the traveling masses during this festive period is fully implemented.

“This indeed is the dawn of the “Renewed Hope for us in the luxury bus industry and our numerous passengers nationwide.”

ABC Transport Implementing 50% Discount

Meanwhile, following the federal government’s offer to reduce transport fare to Nigerians by 50%, ABC Transport has started implementing the 50% discount on the designated routes.

Travelers who are travelling to the designated routes can now walk in and pay only 50% of the applicable fare, the company said in a statement yesterday.

This also applies to people using ABC Transport APP which can be obtained on the goggle play store and IOS. Customers with the APP can book and pay from their phones and have the 50% discount automatically applied.

The statement that was signed by the management also said passengers who have already booked for the relevant period are being refunded at the point of travel. The management commended the government for this initiative which will help reduce the burden on travelers.

ABC transport is a diversified operation; covering passenger, logistics and heavy duty haulage.