CNG, EV Push Begins To Cut Transport Fares Across States, Says FG

The federal government has said Nigerians in several states are already paying less for transportation as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles (EVs) expand on major routes, marking the first visible impact of the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme ahead of the October 1 target.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that by October 1, commuters should begin to see measurable reductions in transport costs as the federal government, state governments and transport operators deepen adoption of alternative-energy mobility.

According to the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), early deployments in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory are already delivering fare savings of between 31 and 83 per cent on some corridors.

Executive chairman of Pi-CNG & EV, Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, said different states are adopting models that fit their circumstances—CNG buses, electric buses, taxis or tricycles—but stressed that the true measure of success is whether passengers feel cheaper fares. “If an operator is spending less on energy but the passenger continues to pay the same fare, then our work is not complete,” he said.

In Borno State, 500 electric tricycles, 20 electric buses and 150 electric saloon cars and taxis are operating alongside eight solar-powered charging terminals, with fares subsidised to as low as N50 for buses, N100 for taxis and N200 for tricycles. The state is also developing CNG infrastructure, with three stations planned in Maiduguri and conversion facilities to support a wider transition to gas-powered transport.

Abia State has deployed 40 electric buses with fares subsidised by 50 per cent, while Zamfara is introducing 100 electric taxis expected to charge about 40 per cent less than conventional alternatives. In Enugu, 100 CNG buses operated by FEMADEC on behalf of the state government ply busy routes such as Enugu–Nsukka, where fares have fallen from between N3,000–N4,000 to N1,600 on the CNG-supported service, exerting downward pressure on other operators’ prices.

In the FCT, commuters on CNG buses pay roughly half the previous fares on key routes: Kubwa–Berger and Apo–Nyanya/Maraba now cost N500 instead of N1,000, Masaka–Berger N600 instead of N1,000, and Berger–Gwagwalada N700 instead of N1,200, with 26 additional buses expected to join the fleet soon. Lagos has also recorded significant reductions, with Ikorodu–Fadeyi dropping from N1,200 to N680, Ikorodu–Maryland from N1,000 to N570, and Ikeja–Obalende from N1,400 to N720.

Other states are at different stages of implementation. In Akwa Ibom and Edo, proposed fares on multiple routes represent 50 per cent cuts, including Uyo–Ikot Ekpene (N1,300 to N650) and Benin–Auchi (N8,000 to N4,000). Delta, Jigawa, Ogun and Oyo are also preparing interventions; the Warri–Asaba CNG service in Delta is proposed at N4,900 against the current N7,000, while Dutse–Kano in Jigawa is expected to fall from N3,500 to N2,000. Kaduna operates 100 CNG buses that provide free transportation on major routes, carrying about 3.2 million passengers in their first year and saving commuters an estimated N3.5 billion.

Pi-CNG & EV said 61 buses in the current deployment are designated for commercial operations across the FCT, Kano, Lagos, Delta, Kaduna, Katsina, Enugu, Borno and Niger, with more vehicles expected to expand the number of routes benefiting from lower energy costs. The initiative is also working with partners to have at least 150 operational CNG refuelling stations before year-end, as vehicle conversions accelerate in markets such as Kano and the South-East.

Ahmed described the October 1 target as the beginning of a deepening process rather than an endpoint, noting that more routes, vehicles and infrastructure are needed to extend savings to more Nigerians.

According to him, the initiative will continue to engage state governments, transport unions, operators and investors to expand CNG and EV infrastructure and ensure that lower energy costs translate into lower everyday transport fares.