Lagos, Kwara, Ekiti, Plateau and Enugu states have introduced or expanded the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and government-subsidised buses as part of efforts to reduce transportation costs for residents.
The measures followed the Federal Government’s directive that Nigerians should begin to experience measurable reductions in transport fares from October 1.
However, the implementation has varied across the states, with differences in the availability of CNG buses, refuelling infrastructure, conversion facilities and the willingness of commercial transport operators to reduce fares.
President Bola Tinubu had directed the 36 state governments to accelerate the implementation of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme after his August 27 meeting with the governors.
The President urged the states to work with transport unions and commercial operators, support vehicle conversion and deploy more buses and infrastructure to ensure that lower operating costs translate into cheaper transportation for commuters.
The Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles said more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted while over 90 CNG refuelling stations had been established across the country.
The initiative also said fare reductions had already started on some routes, stressing that October 1 marked the beginning of Federal Government monitoring of the programme rather than a requirement for every state to reduce fares at the same time.
In Plateau State, the government is relying on its Tin City Metro Bus scheme to provide cheaper transportation while preparations continue for CNG adoption.
The Commissioner for Transport, Davou Gyang Jatau, said passengers travelling between Anguldi and Farin Gada, a distance of about 23 kilometres, pay N200, while a return trip costs N400.
The state has also entered into an agreement with the National Institute for Transport Technology, Zaria, to establish a vehicle conversion centre in Jos. However, inadequate CNG refuelling infrastructure remains a major challenge.
In Kwara State, the Commissioner for Transport, Aliyu Sabi, said the Federal Government had supplied 20 CNG buses to help cushion the impact of high fuel prices.
According to him, the buses had started operating from various motor parks on routes including Ilorin-Abuja, Ilorin-Lagos and Ilorin-Enugu.
He added that the state was expecting another 10 buses to transport workers, students and other residents.
Ekiti State has also commenced measures to cut transportation costs through the deployment of CNG buses.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji said the state had begun the process of reducing transport fares by 59 per cent through 15 CNG buses donated by the Federal Government.
The governor said the buses would help ease the transportation burden on residents, while the state planned to expand the fleet.
The Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, said the buses would operate on routes connecting Ado Ekiti with Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja.
In Lagos, the state recently received 20 additional high-capacity CNG buses, bringing the number of CNG buses in its regulated public transport system to about 170.
The buses are expected to increase capacity on routes with identified gaps, including the Ikorodu-Tafawa Balewa Square corridor.
However, the Lagos State Government has yet to announce a new fare structure, specific commencement date or routes for the latest Federal Government-backed fare reduction programme.
