By Mary Izuaka

 

Nigerians across several states are beginning to pay less for transportation as the federal and state governments expand the deployment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles on major transport routes.

The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Head of Brand and Communications, Onyekachi Eke, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the fare reductions are part of ongoing efforts under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to ensure that lower operating costs from alternative energy translate into cheaper transportation for commuters.

President Bola Tinubu had set 1 October as a target for Nigerians to begin seeing measurable reductions in transportation costs as the federal government, state governments, and transport operators deepen adoption of CNG and electric mobility.

Across the country, the statement said, different models are emerging. While some states are deploying CNG buses, others are using electric buses, taxis and tricycles.

“Governments are also investing in refuelling and charging infrastructure and, in some cases, directly subsidising fares,” the statement said.

Fares across states

In Borno State, it said 500 electric tricycles, 20 electric buses and 150 electric saloon cars and taxis have been deployed, supported by eight stand-alone solar-powered charging terminals.

The statement said the state is providing heavily subsidised transportation, with fares set at N50 for buses, N100 for taxis and N200 for tricycles.

“Borno is also developing its CNG infrastructure, with three CNG stations in Maiduguri, one operational and two nearing completion, as well as conversion facilities to support the transition of more vehicles to gas,” it added.

In Abia State, according to the statement, 40 electric buses are already providing public transportation at fares subsidised by 50 per cent, while Zamfara State is introducing 100 electric taxis, with fares expected to be 40 per cent lower.

It explained that the effect of lower energy costs is already visible in Enugu State, where 100 CNG buses operated by FEMADEC on behalf of the state government serve busy routes, including Enugu–Nsukka, ESUTH–Agbani, Enugu–UNTH, Holy Ghost–Emene and other corridors.

“The Enugu–Nsukka route, which previously cost between N3,000 and N4,000, was initially reduced to N2,200 and now costs N1,600 on the CNG-supported service. The reduction has also forced other commercial operators on the route to bring fares down to about N2,500,” it stated.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it said commuters using CNG buses on the Kubwa–Berger route pay N500 compared with N1,000 on diesel buses, while Apo–Nyanya/Maraba also costs N500 compared with N1,000.

“Masaka–Berger costs N600 on CNG compared with N1,000, while Berger–Gwagwalada costs N700 compared with N1,200. The FCT fleet is expected to increase by 26 additional buses this week,” the statement said.

In Lagos, it said Ikorodu–Fadeyi has moved from N1,200 to N680, Ikorodu–Maryland from N1,000 to N570 and Ikeja–Obalende from N1,400 to N720, with other routes recording varying reductions.

“Other states are at different stages of implementing fare-reduction plans. In Akwa Ibom, proposed fares across 30 routes represent reductions of 50 per cent. Uyo–Ikot Ekpene is proposed to be reduced from N1,300 to N650, Uyo–Eket from N2,500 to N1,250 and Uyo–Oron from N3,000 to N1,500.

“In Edo State, proposed fares also represent 50 per cent cuts. Benin–Auchi is proposed to move from N8,000 to N4,000, while Kingsquare–Ugbowo–Oluku would reduce from N600 to N300.”

It said proposed interventions in Delta, Jigawa, Ogun and Oyo States are also expected to bring down costs.

The statement said the Warri–Asaba CNG service in Delta is proposed at N4,900 compared with the current N7,000, while Dutse–Kano in Jigawa is proposed at N2,000 compared with N3,500. Delta has also developed 22 EV charging stations.

In Kaduna State, it said 100 CNG buses are providing free transportation on major routes. The buses carried about 3.2 million passengers in their first year, with estimated savings to commuters exceeding N3.5 billion.

“Niger State is also expanding its alternative-energy transport programme, with CNG-supported transportation between Suleja and Abuja already providing cheaper travel. In Ebonyi, the government has acquired luxury buses to cushion transportation costs for civil servants.”

Beyond existing services, it said Pi-CNG & EV is deploying another batch of buses that will operate with demonstrable fare reductions on designated routes.

“A total of 61 buses in the current deployment are designated for commercial operations, including 13 each for the FCT, Kano and Lagos; five each for Delta, Kaduna and Katsina; three for Enugu; and two each for Borno and Niger.”

The Executive Chairman of Pi-CNG & EV, Ismaeel Ahmed, said the different models being adopted reflect the peculiar transport needs of states.

“There is no single model that will work everywhere. Some states are deploying CNG buses, others are using electric buses, taxis or tricycles. What matters is that the lower cost of energy translates into lower transportation costs for Nigerians.

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“For us, that is the real measure. If an operator is spending less on energy but the passenger continues to pay the same fare, then our work is not complete,” Mr Ahmed said.

He said Nigeria is emerging as one of Africa’s fastest-growing CNG markets, with vehicle conversions accelerating and private investment driving expansion of refuelling and conversion infrastructure.

“Pi-CNG & EV is working with industry partners towards having at least 150 operational CNG refuelling stations before the end of the year,” the statement said.

Mr Ahmed said the 1 October target should be seen as part of an expanding programme rather than the conclusion of fare-reduction efforts.

“What Nigerians are seeing today is a process that we intend to deepen. We have routes where fares have already come down, states preparing to introduce reduced fares, and more vehicles being deployed.

“The next task is to expand the number of routes, increase refuelling and charging infrastructure and get more vehicles into commercial transportation so that these savings reach many more Nigerians,” he said.