Passenger in their hundreds besieged the lddo terminus of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to board the free train ride offered by Osun state Government from Lagos to Oshogbo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports many the passengers, travelling for Eid-el-Fitri, arrived the terminus as early as 8.a.m. to benefit from the annual largess.
The NRC had announced the free train service offered by Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun to indigenes of the state residing in Lagos and environs to enable them travel home for Sallah.
The corporation announced that the train would leave the Iddo terminus on Aug. 10 by 10 a.m. and return to Lagos on Aug. 13.
The federal government declares Aug. 12 and Aug.13 as public holidays for the celebration of 2019 Eid-el-Kabir.
NAN correspondent who monitored the departure of the first batch of the train on Friday observed that the passengers included the elderly, youths and children.
Some of the passengers told NAN that the free train service motivated them to travel home for Sallah with their family members.
They said the free train saved them some funds and they applauded the governor for continuing the initiative by his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola..
Alhaji Kabiru Alani, a trader, said: “The free train service motivates me and my family here in Lagos to go home for Sallah . It is good and we love this.
Mr Leke Adeosun, an artisan described the gesture as “hope for many indigent from Osun who yearn to travel home for Sallah.
“We all know how the economy is affecting so many people. I think this kind of welfare is well thought of and should be continued for the masses.
Mrs Toyin Animasaun, traveling with four children, commended the government saying that the train ride offered the opportunity for her and the children to travel together for the first time.
“l do not like travelling with my children on a trip by road for the fear of accidents. My husband owns a car but we don’t travel with them.
“This gesture has afforded us the opportunity of moving the entire family home for Sallah,’’ she said.
Another passenger who simply identified himself as Mr Balogun said the free rail ride would save them from the harrowing experiences of commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“My brother who travelled yesterday morning on that road arrived late in the night. With this free ride, the journey will be stress free and safer.”
The Lagos District Manager of NRC, Mr Jerry Oche told NAN that the Osun state government hired 10 coaches to be deployed on two trips for the exercise.
“It is an annual business between the NRC and the state to assist its citizens.
“We commend the former governor who started this since 2011 and as well commend Gov. Gboyega Oyetola for continuing with his predecessor’s gesture.”
He said the state offered the free train services to its people during Easter, Eid-el-Fitri, Eid-el-Kabir, Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Oche appealed to other states government along the railway corridor to emulate the gesture by Osun state in the offer of free train services to their citizens during festivities.
NAN reports that the train which departed the terminus by 10.30a.m. is expected to pick passengers along major stations between Lagos to Oshogbo which are; Agege, Abeokuta and lbadan.
