October 1 Nears as States Struggle to Make Transport Cheaper

((CNG buses. Photo Credit: leadership News)

An online news platform's findings show that many states across Nigeria are struggling to meet President Tinubu's October 1 deadline to reduce transport costs.

While several states have promised to cut fares, many lack the infrastructure needed, including Compressed Natural Gas conversion centers and refuelling stations.

Tinubu instructed state governments to pass on the savings from lower operating costs of CNG-powered transport to commuters.

He gave this directive after meeting with all 36 state governors in August to launch the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.

In Abuja, a 40 per cent reduction announced for CNG vehicles has not yet reached commuters.

A driver at Area 1 Motor Park said neither his company nor drivers had received clear instructions on new fares.

He warned that forcing a 40 per cent cut without government support could hurt transport firms already struggling with maintenance costs, salaries and spare parts.

Borno State has electric vehicles bought by the state government running on subsidised fares in Maiduguri.

However, about 10,000 federal buses and cars plus tricycles being assembled by the North East Development Commission are expected to arrive in October.

The state government said it had not received any federal vehicles yet.

Plateau State commuters said they knew of no transport cost cuts and no CNG or electric buses running public services.

Niger State has no CNG conversion or refuelling stations, so CNG buses cannot operate.

Two hundred CNG buses sit parked in Minna waiting for stations to be built.

Kebbi State has deployed over 50 new buses through the state transport authority at reduced fares.

Fares from Birnin Kebbi to Sokoto dropped from 8,000 naira to 3,500 naira, and from Zuru fell from 10,000 to 8,000 naira.

Imo State fares have stayed the same since January despite petrol price swings between 1,370 and 1,420 naira per litre.

Kogi State has no government transport service and the promised CNG buses have not started running.

Cross River State said it has e-buses ready at a fabrication academy but services have not begun. Ondo State is expanding CNG conversion and refuelling facilities.

Abia operates 40 electric buses under the Abia Green Shuttle Service but the fleet is too small to cover the state properly, and transport costs have not fallen.

Kaduna's 100 CNG buses launched by Tinubu are running free. Ekiti provides free shuttles for workers and students.

Delta received 50 CNG buses in a pilot phase with plans to buy more if successful.

Akwa Ibom took delivery of 50 CNG buses parked at Government House, Uyo, set to deploy on October 1 across all 31 local government areas.

Oyo deployed CNG buses to the Pacesetter Transport Service, which already cut the Lagos-Ibadan fare from about 8,000 naira to 3,200 naira, and is planning electric buses for city routes.

Rivers State will continue free transport for civil servants and is exploring CNG buses.