Ekiti launches 15 CNG buses with planned 50% fare reduction

The Ekiti State Government has started deploying compressed natural gas buses in a pilot programme intended to reduce transport fares by 50 per cent and ease pressure on residents. Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced the initiative on Thursday during the flag-off of 15 buses at the Ekiti State Transportation Agency in Ado-Ekiti. The event coincided with Nigeria’s Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State.

Oyebanji said the buses were donated to the state by the Federal Government and represented the first phase of a wider intervention. He said the state would expand the fleet so that more residents could benefit. The governor said reducing transportation costs was essential because transport expenses contributed significantly to the economic burden facing citizens.

He asked transport unions to pass the savings from the CNG buses directly to commuters. Oyebanji said the 15 buses would be distributed to unions while the transportation agency would manage the scheme. He also thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the intervention, saying it would help the state implement programmes with a direct effect on residents.

The Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, said routes had already been mapped. According to him, the buses would operate between Ado-Ekiti and Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja. Akingbolu said the initiative would provide more affordable and reliable interstate transport.

The state government said it would continue looking for ways to reduce transport costs and improve access to public transportation.