Ekiti Launches CNG Buses to Cut Transport Fares by Half

(CNG Buses. Photo Credit: Punch News)

The Ekiti State Government has started deploying Compressed Natural Gas buses as part of efforts to cut transport fares by 50 percent and ease the cost of moving around for residents.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced this on Thursday at the flag-off of 15 CNG buses at the Ekiti State Transportation Agency premises in Ado-Ekiti.

The event fell on Nigeria's Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele was with him.

Oyebanji said the 15 buses were donated by the Federal Government and are only the pilot phase.

He said the state will add more buses so that more residents can benefit.

He said President Bola Tinubu told all state governors to find a way to reduce transport costs by October 1, since transport adds a lot to the cost of living.

The buses will be handed to the unions, while the agency will manage them.

He urged the unions to pass the gains on to commuters through lower fares, saying this will cut transport costs by 50 percent.

He thanked Tinubu for the support and said a vision stays a dream without resources, but the President has been helping all states turn their plans into action.

The Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, said routes have been mapped out for the buses.

They will run between Ado-Ekiti and Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja.

He said this will give residents cheaper and more reliable interstate travel.

The state government said it will keep looking for ways to lower transport costs and improve access to affordable public transport.