Kaduna State government says no fewer than 3.2 million residents have so far benefited from its free Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mass transit scheme, as part of efforts to improve transportation and ease the cost of commuting across the state.
The Acting Director General of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), Engineer Inuwa Ibrahim, disclosed this during an inspection of some of the newly constructed bus stops in Kaduna.
Ibrahim said the transport initiative was one of the key infrastructure projects of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, aimed at providing affordable, safe and efficient public transportation for residents.
He said the government was constructing 200 modern bus stops across the state to complement the deployment of 100 CNG-powered buses currently providing free transport services.
“We are at one of the CNG transport bus stops. So far, about 200 bus stops are under construction across the state to support the operation of the 100 CNG buses already deployed,” he stressed.
According to him, the buses operate daily from morning until evening, conveying passengers free of charge along designated routes.
He explained that one of the major routes, running from Rigachikun through Kawo to Sabon Tasha, serves more than 30 communities, providing residents with easier access to transportation.
He said the transport initiative has saved computers over ₦3.5 billion in transportation costs in one year.
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Ibrahim mentioned that the project was progressing steadily, adding that over 80 per cent of the bus stops had been completed, while the remaining ones would be delivered soon.
He further stated that the transport system had been fully digitalised to enhance operational efficiency and security.
“The buses are equipped with Intelligent Transport System (ITS) devices, making them fully computerised.
“Through our control centre, we can monitor the movement of every vehicle in real time as well as activities taking place at the bus stops for effective management and security purposes.”
The KADSTRA boss added that the digital monitoring system would improve service delivery, ensure passenger safety and strengthen oversight of the state’s public transport network.
