Kaduna’s free CNG buses transported 3.2m persons, saved residents N3.5bn in 1 year – Official
No fewer than 3.2 million commuters have benefited from the Kaduna state government’s free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit scheme in the past one year, saving residents more than ₦3.5 billion in transportation costs, officials have disclosed.
The acting Managing Director of Kaduna Line and acting Director-General of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), Engr. Inuwa Ibrahim, disclosed this while inspecting newly constructed CNG bus stops in Kaduna.
He said the initiative, introduced by Governor Uba Sani’s administration, was designed to cushion the effects of rising transportation costs by providing residents with safe, reliable and environmentally friendly public transport.
According to him, the government has deployed 100 CNG-powered buses operating free of charge across major routes in the state, while construction of 200 modern bus stops to support the mass transit system is nearing completion.
“As of today, over 3.2 million passengers have benefited from the scheme, while commuters have collectively saved more than ₦3.5 billion that would have been spent on transportation,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that the buses operate daily from morning to evening, conveying passengers free of charge along designated routes.
He noted that one of the busiest corridors, stretching from Rigachikun through Kawo to Sabon Tasha, serves more than 30 communities, significantly improving mobility for residents.
Ibrahim said more than 80 per cent of the 200 bus stops had been completed, adding that work was progressing steadily on the remaining facilities.
Beyond expanding transport infrastructure, he said the state had introduced technology-driven innovations to improve efficiency and passenger safety.
According to him, all the CNG buses are fitted with Intelligent Transport System (ITS) devices linked to a central control centre, enabling officials to monitor vehicle movements and activities at bus stops in real time.
“The buses are fully digitised. Through our control centre, we can track every vehicle in operation and monitor activities at the bus stops to enhance service delivery, security and operational efficiency,” he said.
He added that the digital monitoring system would strengthen oversight of the state’s public transport network while improving the overall commuting experience.
The KADSTRA boss said the state government remained committed to expanding access to affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation.
He disclosed that the free CNG bus service would soon be extended to Zaria and Kafanchan, once CNG refuelling stations currently being developed in the two cities become operational.
Ibrahim described the mass transit programme as one of the flagship infrastructure projects of the Uba Sani administration, aimed at reducing the financial burden of transportation on residents while promoting cleaner energy and modern public transport.