Ekiti State to Slash Transport Fares by 50% with New CNG Buses

The Ekiti State Government is working to cut transport fares by 50 percent across the state. They plan to do this by introducing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses. This move aims to ease the burden of transport costs on residents.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced this plan. The launch of the buses took place on the nation’s Independence Day and the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State. The governor said this is a significant step to lower transport costs, following directives from President Bola Tinubu.

He mentioned that the state has already started reducing transport fares by 59 percent. This is thanks to the rollout of 15 CNG buses donated by the federal government. These buses are part of efforts to make public transportation more affordable and accessible.

The governor said the state will increase the fleet to better serve the residents. Mr Oyebanji spoke alongside Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during the official launch at the Ekiti State Transportation Agency in Ado Ekiti. He assured citizens that the government will keep looking for ways to lessen their transport burden.

After checking the buses, the governor expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the support. He said the buses would greatly help reduce transportation costs for the people. He emphasized that this initiative shows the commitment of both the state and federal government to improving citizens' welfare.

Mr Oyebanji added that the CNG buses would offer a cheaper transport option for everyone in the state. He urged the drivers’ union to ensure that the benefits reach the commuters.

The governor also inspected ongoing projects around the state after reviewing the CNG buses. He praised President Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said provide more resources for the state to implement programs and projects that directly benefit the people.

"No matter how visionary a leader is, if there are no resources to work with, it will just stay in the realm of a vision. But the President has been helping and supporting us not only in Ekiti State but in all the states in the country to translate our vision into action and impact for the people,” he said.

He continued, "The President charged all state governors that by 1 October, we should find a way of reducing transportation cost because most of the implications we are witnessing, transportation contributes a lot to it, and what we have done today is just the pilot: 15 CNG buses, which are going to be distributed to the unions, and the agency will manage it."

Mr Oyebanji concluded, "My appeal is to the Unions; they should allow the gains to translate to the commuters because this will reduce transportation cost by 50 percent.”

On the bus deployment, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, shared that routes have been set for the CNG buses. They will operate from Ado Ekiti to Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha, and Abuja. He noted that this initiative will provide residents with more affordable and reliable interstate transport, while also easing the pressure of high transport fares.