In a bid to alleviate the financial burden on commuters in the nation’s capital, the Federal Government has launched a free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus service in Abuja.
The service, which began operations on December 2, 2024, is designed to ease transportation costs for residents in the city.
The announcement was made by the Presidential CNG Initiative, which shared a video on its X (formerly Twitter) page, showing the buses in operation. The CNG buses will run along major routes connecting suburban areas to key locations in Abuja, including routes from Mararaba to Eagle Square and the Berger bus stop.
As part of the initiative, the government has committed to providing the free bus service for a period of 40 days, with the programme set to end on January 6, 2025. This initiative follows a wider strategy to reduce the high cost of transportation in the capital city, which has been a source of concern for many residents.
The Ministry of Transportation had earlier this week handed over 15 CNG-powered buses to three major transport unions the National Road Transport Workers Union, the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners, and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria as part of efforts to reduce transportation expenses for commuters in Abuja.
In a video recorded by a correspondent, passengers expressed their appreciation for the initiative. One commuter, Fatima, shared her experience: “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 for Nigerian people.”
Another commuter, Blessing, expressed hope that the initiative would lead to more long-term solutions.
“If they keep doing this, we’ll be happy. After this, they should bring down the price. I hope they will,” she said.
The introduction of the free CNG bus service is part of broader efforts by the government to promote cleaner, more sustainable transportation options while also easing the financial burden on Nigerian citizens during challenging economic times.
