Fuel Hike: Kaduna Free Bus Scheme Eases Commuters’ Burden

Residents of Kaduna State have expressed relief over the free bus initiative introduced by Governor Uba Sani, as rising fuel prices continue to push transportation costs beyond the reach of many Nigerians.

The surge in petrol prices has triggered a sharp increase in transport fares, leaving workers, traders and students among the hardest hit.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the free bus service operates across more than 200 designated bus stops in the state, with about 30 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses deployed daily between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The routes covered include Tudun Wada-Kawo-Rigachikun, Rigachikun-Yakowa-Maraban Rido, Rigachikun-Kasuwa-Maraban Rido, and Rigasa-NEPA Roundabout, among others, within the Kaduna metropolis.

Beneficiaries of the initiative said it has significantly reduced their daily transportation expenses, easing the pressure of rising living costs.

A petty trader, Blessing Dauda, said the scheme has helped her business remain stable despite the harsh economic situation, adding that money previously spent on transport is now channelled into restocking her goods.

Similarly, a civil servant, Abdullahi Adamu, described the intervention as timely, noting that it has reduced the stress associated with unpredictable transport fares.

“With the way fuel prices keep rising, transport has become difficult to manage. The free bus has made it easier for me to go to work without worrying about daily fare”.

Also speaking, a student of Kaduna State University (KASU), Aisha Mohammed, said the initiative has brought considerable relief to her family.

She noted that commuters only need to be at designated bus stops on time, as the buses reliably pick up passengers along the routes.

“It has reduced the burden on my parents because I no longer ask for transport money every day,” she said.

Some residents told LEADERSHIP that they now save between N1,000 and N2,000 daily, depending on the distance covered, a development they said has helped them cope better with the rising cost of living.

While commending the initiative, some commuters called for its expansion to cover more routes, particularly in underserved and rural communities where transportation challenges remain severe.