The Federal Government has commenced a free Compressed Natural Gas bus service in Abuja to ease transportation costs for Nigerians in the capital city.
The CNG buses began operations on December 2, 2024, as shown in a video shared by the Presidential CNG Initiative on its X (formerly Twitter) page.
The buses, according to reports, will run along popular routes from suburbs in Abuja such as Mararaba to Eagle Square and Berger bus stop.
The government has announced that the buses will convey passengers free of charge for the next 40 days, with the free service scheduled to end on January 6, 2025.
Last week, the government, through the Ministry of Transportation, handed over 15 Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to three transport unions to ease the high cost of transportation in the capital city.
The transport unions that benefited from the gesture include the National Road Transport Workers Union, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria.
According to reports, commuters who benefitted from the program have praised the government’s initiative to reduce transportation costs. One of the respondents, Fatima, said, “I just boarded a CNG bus going to Maraba, and we were asked not to pay, and I didn’t pay. I hope it will continue for long. I like it very much; I know this is the beginning of good things that will happen to Nigerian people.”
Another respondent, Blessing, added, “If they’re doing like this, we’ll be happy. After this one now, let them bring down the price. That’s why I said after this one they should.”
