The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) says Nigerians are beginning to pay less for transportation.
Mr Ismaeel Ahmed, Executive Chairman, Pi-CNG & EV disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement by Onyekachi Eke, Head, Brand and Communications, Pi-CNG & EV.
Ahmed said that the reduction in cost of transportation was as a result the federal and state governments expanding CNG and electric vehicle deployment on major transport routes.
He said the reduction was part of the ongoing efforts under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to ensure that the lower operating costs offered by alternative energy translated into cheaper transportation for commuters.
President Bola Tinubu had set October 1 as a target for Nigerians to begin seeing measurable reductions in transportation costs as transport operators and federal and state governments deepen the adoption of CNG and electric mobility.
“Across the country, different models are already emerging.
“Some states are deploying CNG buses, using electric buses, taxis and tricycles, while governments are investing in refueling and charging infrastructure,” Ahmed said.
According to him, in Borno, where 500 electric tricycles, 20 electric buses and 150 electric saloon cars and taxis had been deployed, supported by eight stand-alone solar-powered charging terminals.
“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.”
He said in Abia State, 40 electric buses were already providing public transportation at fares subsidised by 50 per cent, demonstrating another approach to using alternative energy to lower the cost of mobility.
He said Zamfara State was also introducing 100 electric taxis, with fares expected to be 40 per cent lower, further expanding the use of electric mobility for affordable public transportation.
“The effect of lower energy costs is already visible in Enugu State, where 100 CNG buses are operated by FEMADEC on behalf of the state government.
“They serve busy routes, including Enugu–Nsukka, ESUTH–Agbani, Enugu–UNTH, Holy Ghost–Emene, and other commercial and residential corridors.
“The Enugu–Nsukka route, which previously cost commuters between N3,000 and N4,000, was initially reduced to N2,200 and now costs N1,600 on the CNG-supported service,” he said.
Ahmed said that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was recording similar savings. On the Kubwa–Berger route.
According to him, commuters using CNG buses on the 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 set to increase further, with 26 additional buses expected this week,” he said.
He further said that in Lagos, commuters were also benefiting from lower fares across several routes, adding that Ikorodu–Fadeyi has moved from N1,200 to N680, while Ikorodu–Maryland has reduced from N1,000 to N570.
“Ikeja–Obalende has moved from N1,400 to N720, with other routes recording varying levels of reduction.
“Uyo–Ikot Ekpene is proposed to reduce 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 on several routes also represent reductions of 50 per cent. Benin–Auchi is proposed to move from N8,000 to N4,000, while Kingsquare–Ugbowo–Oluku would reduce from N600 to N300,” he said.
He said that proposed interventions in Delta, Jigawa, Ogun and Oyo states were also expected to bring down transport costs.
“The Warri–Asaba CNG service in Delta, for example, 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 currently,” he said.
In addition to its CNG programme, he said Delta State had developed 22 EV charging stations, providing infrastructure for the expansion of electric mobility.
He said in Kaduna State, 100 CNG buses were providing free transportation on major routes, adding that the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers, with estimated savings to commuters exceeding N3.5 billion.
“Niger State is also expanding its alternative-energy transport programme.
“CNG-supported transportation between Suleja and Abuja is already providing cheaper travel for commuters, while the state continues to develop its CNG and electric mobility infrastructure.
“In Ebonyi, the state government has acquired luxury buses as part of measures to cushion transportation costs for civil servants,” he said.
He said that Pi-CNG & EV was also working with Ebonyi to explore opportunities for CNG and electric mobility deployment and the infrastructure required to support them.
“Beyond existing services, Pi-CNG & EV is deploying another batch of buses that will operate with demonstrable fare reductions on designated routes,” he said.
He said 61 buses in the current deployment were designated for commercial operations, comprising 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.
“Conversion activity is increasing significantly in emerging markets such as Kano and the South-East, alongside established CNG markets in other parts of the country. New refuelling stations are also coming onstream regularly.
“Pi-CNG & EV is working with industry partners towards having about 150 operational CNG refuelling stations before the end of 2026,” he said.
Ahmed said the October 1 target should therefore be seen as part of an expanding programme rather than the conclusion of the fare-reduction effort.
“Pi-CNG & EV will continue working with relevant stakeholders to expand CNG refuelling and EV charging infrastructure to ensure that savings from cheaper energy are reflected in transport fares,” he said.
