The Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV) says Nigerians are beginning to pay less for transportation. Ismaeel Ahmed, Pi-CNG & EV’s executive chairman, disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement.

Mr Ahmed said the reduction in transportation costs resulted from the federal and state governments expanding CNG and electric vehicle deployment on major transport routes. He said the reduction was part of ongoing efforts under the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to ensure that lower operating costs from alternative energy translated into cheaper transportation for commuters.

President Bola Tinubu set October 1 as a target for Nigerians to begin seeing measurable reductions in transportation costs as transport operators, federal and state governments deepen the adoption of CNG and electric mobility.

“Across the country, different models are already emerging. Some states are deploying CNG buses, using electric buses, taxis and tricycles, while governments are investing in refuelling and charging infrastructure,” Mr Ahmed said.

According to him, Borno has deployed 500 electric tricycles, 20 electric buses, and 150 electric saloon cars and taxis, supported by eight stand-alone solar-powered charging terminals.

“The state is providing heavily subsidised transportation, with fares set at N50 for buses, N100 for taxis and N200 for tricycles,” said Mr Ahmed. “Borno is also developing its CNG infrastructure, with three CNG stations in Maiduguri, one operational and two nearing completion, as well as conversion facilities to support the transition of more vehicles to gas.”

He said in Abia, 40 electric buses were already providing public transportation at fares subsidised by 50 per cent, demonstrating another approach to using alternative energy to lower the cost of mobility and Zamfara was also introducing 100 electric taxis with fares expected to be 40 per cent lower, further expanding the use of electric mobility for affordable public transportation.

The effect of lower energy costs is already visible in Enugu, where FEMADEC operates 100 CNG buses on behalf of the state government, according to Mr Ahmed, adding that they serve busy routes, including Enugu-Nsukka, ESUTH-Agbani, Enugu-UNTH, Holy Ghost-Emene, and other commercial and residential corridors.

(NAN)