The Nigerian Government has launched a free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) bus service in Abuja, aimed at reducing transportation costs for commuters in the capital city.
The initiative, which began on December 2, 2024, is part of efforts to ease the financial burden on Nigerians due to rising transportation fares.
The CNG buses are operating on key routes connecting suburban areas like Mararaba to central locations such as Eagle Square and the Berger bus stop. The government has announced that the free bus rides will continue for the next 40 days, concluding on January 6, 2025.
As part of a broader initiative to address high transportation costs, 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. This gesture aims to further alleviate the financial strain on commuters in Abuja.
In a video shared by the Presidential CNG Initiative on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, several commuters expressed their gratitude for the government’s effort to reduce transportation expenses. Fatima, one of the passengers, shared her positive experience, saying, “I just boarded a CNG bus going to Maraba, and we were asked not to pay. I hope it will continue for long.”
Another commuter, Blessing, expressed hope for continued affordability, stating, “If they’re doing like this, we’ll be happy. After this one now, let them bring down the price.”
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to promote the use of CNG as a cleaner and more affordable alternative to traditional fuels, while simultaneously addressing the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
