FG begins enforcement of 40% transport fare reduction on CNG commercial vehicles

The Federal Government through the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNGI), in collaboration with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), has commenced enforcement of a 40% reduction in transport fares for commercial vehicles converted to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

The announcement was made Friday in Abuja during a public event at the Area 1 Park, Garki, marking the official rollout of the reduced fare scheme on routes operated by NURTW’s CNG-converted vehicles.

Mr. Michael Oluwagbemi, CEO and Programme Director of P-CNGI, represented by Mr. David Idakwo, Regional CNG Expansion Coordinator for the North, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to make transportation more affordable for Nigerians.

“The intention is to as much as possible reduce the price of transportation for the general public. We have worked hand-in-hand with the NURTW, we have converted a lot of their vehicles and based on the agreement that we have with them, it’s for them to reduce the prices for the general public, so that the effect of the fare subsidy will be felt by Nigerians. The burden will also be reduced. So, in conjunction with the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, we have come here to start enforcing the price reduction,” he stated.

According to Idakwo, the initiative involved a review of the previous fares charged when vehicles operated on petrol, resulting in fare cuts of up to 40% across key routes.

“Area 1 to Gwagwalada when they were on fuel was going for N1,500; we have been able to reduce it to N900, while Area 1 to Bwari/Dutse is also reduced from N1,500 to N900. Area 1 to Kuje is reduced from N1,200 to N720; Area 1 to Galadimawa is reduced from N500 to N300; Area 1 to Mpape is reduced from N1,000 to N600; while Area 1 to Zuba also reduced from N1,500 to N900. Area 1 to Lugbe reduced from N700 to N420; Area 1 to Jabi has also been reduced from N700 to N420; Area 1 to Wuse is reduced from N400 down to N240, while Area 1 to Nyanya has been reduced from N700 to N420. Area 1 to Kabusa reduced from N800 to N480, while Area 1 to Apo was reduced from N500 to N300,” he explained.

Idakwo said the fare reduction will extend beyond the Area 1 Park as more vehicles are converted, with plans to replicate the initiative at other parks in Abuja and across the country.

To help passengers identify participating vehicles, all converted vehicles will carry P-CNGI stickers, he added.

Oluwagbemi noted that more than half of NURTW’s registered commercial fleet had been converted under the initiative, with ongoing efforts to increase this number.

“Even right here, we still have our members taking records of those cars that are yet to be converted and the conversion will continue,” he said.

He further revealed that the federal government is working with private investors to boost CNG infrastructure at refueling stations to alleviate long queues.

To ensure compliance, Oluwagbemi said a task force comprising union members and P-CNG officials had been established, while passengers are encouraged to report non-compliant drivers through a hotline or email.

“So, we sent out mystery shoppers into the field to board some of these buses and see if they comply. If they don’t comply, such a driver would be reported to the task force and be disciplined,” he said.

He added that negotiations for similar fare reductions for airport shuttle services were nearing conclusion, following the conversion of over 70% of the airport shuttle fleet.

Oluwagbemi reiterated the government’s resolve to address high transportation and energy costs and urged the media to raise awareness and support greater adoption of CNG-powered transport.

Also speaking, Mr. Ibrahim Jubril, Secretary of the NURTW Garki Branch, praised the president’s initiative to ease the financial burden on commuters.

“When the programme was inaugurated, the NURTW and other sister associations were all invited and were all given the opportunity, as it stands today, a lot of our members’ vehicles have been converted, and conversion is still ongoing for many. When we noticed that most of the vehicles are being converted, we put a taskforce in place in order to checkmate vehicles that are already being converted, so that we can be able to reduce their prices. Part of our strategy is that vehicles that have been converted, must have a price tag written on them, so that passengers going to Gwagwalada, Nyanya, will notice that the vehicle is converted. We are there to protect the interests of our passengers and to enjoy the benefit of this programme,” he said.