Free bus service for students, civil servants, retirees commences Monday – Kaduna govt

Starting Monday, the Kaduna State Government will begin offering free bus services to students, civil servants, and retirees as part of its Subsidised Transport Scheme (KSTS), aimed at easing commuting burdens in the state.

This initiative was announced in a statement on Sunday by Mr. Inuwa Ibrahim, Director-General of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA). According to Ibrahim, the programme is expected to run for an initial period of six months.

He said the scheme is designed to support students across public and private institutions—ranging from primary to tertiary levels—as well as government workers and pensioners, to reduce the cost of living for essential segments of the population.

“The programme is part of Gov. Uba Sani’s effort to ease the cost of living for all the residents of the state,” Ibrahim noted.

After the six-month free period, the government plans to implement a 60 per cent fare subsidy for the general public, he added.

The transport scheme will operate under strict guidelines to maintain order and ensure smooth implementation. “Civil servants will be granted access to the buses upon presentation of valid staff identity cards and a matching National Identification Number (NIN). This is to prevent misuse and ensure that only genuine government workers benefit from the service,” he explained.

Students will be eligible for the free rides if they are in full school uniforms, while members of recognised security agencies may also access the service upon proper identification.

The bus routes have been clearly mapped out to cover strategic areas. Route One connects Rigachikun, Kawo Market, Sabo, and returns via the same axis. Route Two will run from Rigachikun through Kawo and Independence Way, extending to Yakowa Road. Route Three links Tudun Wada, Polytechnic Road, and Sokoto Road to Kawo, and operates in reverse as well.

Commuters have been urged to board the buses in an orderly manner. “We advise passengers to avoid rushing or jumping queues while boarding,” Ibrahim said, assuring that measures are in place to uphold law and order during operations.

This development comes shortly after President Bola Tinubu commissioned 100 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses during his June 19 visit to the state, a move seen as bolstering the state’s commitment to affordable and sustainable transportation.