The Ekiti State Government has introduced Ekiti CNG buses as part of a new effort to reduce the rising cost of transportation and make public transport more affordable for residents. The government launched 15 Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses on Thursday, October 1, marking the first phase of a programme that could eventually expand to more routes across the state.
Governor Biodun Oyebanji inaugurated the buses at the premises of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency in Ado-Ekiti. The Federal Government donated the 15 buses to the state, while the Ekiti government plans to work with transport unions and the state transportation agency to manage their operations.
The government said the initiative aims to reduce transportation costs by 50 per cent. However, the 50 per cent figure represents the government’s target for reducing transport costs through the programme. The actual benefit to commuters will depend on how the buses operate and how the savings from the lower fuel costs are passed on to passengers.
Oyebanji said the buses form part of the state’s response to the pressure that high transportation costs have placed on residents. He also urged transport unions to ensure that the gains from using CNG translate into lower fares for commuters.
Ekiti CNG buses to serve major interstate routes
The Ekiti CNG buses will not be limited to movement within Ado-Ekiti, as the state has already mapped out several interstate routes for the new vehicles.
According to the Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Tajudeen Akingbolu, the buses will operate on routes connecting Ado-Ekiti with Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja. These routes connect the state with some of the country’s major commercial and administrative centres, making them important for residents who travel outside Ekiti for work, business, education and other activities.
The government expects the use of CNG-powered vehicles to help lower operating costs and provide commuters with a more affordable option for interstate travel. The programme also comes as transportation remains a major part of household expenses, particularly for residents who depend on public buses to travel regularly.
The 15 buses will serve as a pilot phase, according to the governor. Oyebanji said the state would expand the fleet so that more residents could benefit from the programme.
The decision to introduce the buses also follows a directive to state governments to explore measures that could reduce transportation costs. Oyebanji said the state responded by using the Federal Government’s CNG bus intervention as an opportunity to begin a wider transport programme.
Government plans to expand CNG transport programme
The launch of the Ekiti CNG buses represents the beginning of the state’s planned expansion of CNG-powered public transportation. The government has indicated that it will increase the number of buses after the pilot phase and extend the service to more commuters.
Oyebanji also appealed to the transport unions involved in the programme to ensure that commuters feel the impact of the initiative. He said the savings from the buses should translate into lower transportation costs instead of remaining with operators.
This will be important as the government works towards its 50 per cent transport cost reduction target. While the state has announced the target, the rollout of 15 buses alone does not mean that transport fares across Ekiti have already fallen by 50 per cent. The programme will need to expand and operate effectively before its wider impact can be assessed.
Meanwhile, residents will be watching the implementation of the scheme closely, particularly the fares charged on the announced routes and the number of additional buses the state eventually deploys.
The government has described the programme as part of its broader effort to make transportation more affordable and accessible. With the first 15 buses now introduced, the next phase will focus on expanding the fleet and ensuring that the expected savings reach commuters across Ekiti State.
