Enugu Governor Reduces CNG Bus Fares By 40%

The management of the newly established Enugu State-owned CNG buses has reduced the cost of its transport services by forty percent.

A survey by THE WHISTLER at Holy Ghost terminal of the transport company on Thursday showed the increased influx of passengers. It was gathered that the cost of transportation from Enugu to Nsukka reduced from N2500 to N1500.

One of the ticketing attendants at the terminal said “the order came from above’.

“It is a new directive from the management,” she said, pleading not to be mentioned. “Since this reduction, we have been witnessing passenger surge. Many of them are happy. They were complaining when the fare was N2,500 because it was almost the same as most commercial mini buses. I think we have come to do business and also to serve Enugu residents better.”

Jane Attama is a passenger going to Nsukka. She said, “I heard about the reduction. That is why I came. This is my first time entering this CNG bus. I am happy. I have saved some money today.”

Solomon Ugwu, a passenger, said, “I believe we are getting the dividends of democracy from Gov Peter Mbah. When this bus scheme started, some of us expressed reservations when the charges were even higher than those of some transport companies. We had thought that because the buses use CNG that the services would be cheaper. The governor has heard our prayers.”

Obinna Ekebe commended the price crash. He said, “Enugu CNG buses have many advantages. They are wired with e-security gadgets. There are provisions for charging phones. They are also air-conditioned. Now that the fare has reduced, I can assure you that the patronage will increase. It is also good to hear that the payment is made straight to the state government’s internally generated revenue account. The buses are also not always disturbed at police checkpoints.”

Our correspondent reports that since the price reduction, some passengers have accepted to stand when the seats were fully occupied. It was learnt that Gov Mbah had prior to the commencement of the scheme built a CNG filling station along Enugu-Onitsha expressway to serve the buses. He also constructed strategic bus terminals across the state. The scheme started with 100 state-of-the-art CNG buses.