Residents of Edo State are hoping that 50 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses will make public transport cheaper and ease daily travel. However, commuters will have to wait to see how much difference the new fleet makes.
The state’s public transport scheme began in 2011 when former Governor Adams Oshiomhole established the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) from the struggling Edo Municipal Transport Service created under Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The buses, known as Comrade Buses, offered cheaper fares than commercial vehicles. They served popular routes in Benin City and some local government areas. During Oshiomhole’s administration, students in school uniforms and those with valid identity cards enjoyed free rides.
Oshiomhole started the scheme with about 75 green buses. In 2017, his successor, Godwin Obaseki, added 100 buses painted oxblood red. However, most of the vehicles introduced under Obaseki were no longer available by the end of his tenure, putting more pressure on the original fleet.
The remaining buses still operate, but their numbers are limited. Many lack air conditioning and digital payment systems. Overcrowding and long queues have become common, forcing some passengers to use commercial transport instead.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has now introduced 50 new CNG buses in an effort to improve the service. First Lady Oluremi Tinubu commissioned the vehicles in Benin City on Thursday.
Tinubu said the buses would help workers, students, traders, parents and other low-income residents travel more affordably. She also described the project as part of efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to promote alternative energy sources, including gas and solar power.
Governor Okpebholo said high transport costs had placed pressure on families and businesses. He added that increased state revenue following the Federal Government’s economic reforms had helped his administration provide services for residents.
Despite the optimism, commuters have raised concerns about the limited number of CNG refuelling stations in Benin City and the pressure already placed on existing facilities.
However, Commissioner for Transportation Saturday Uwuilekhue told NDV that the state had acquired mobile CNG refuelling units to support the buses. He confirmed that the vehicles had joined the ECTS fleet and were already operating across the state.
Whether the new buses will deliver lasting relief from high transport fares will depend on their availability, reliable refuelling and continued maintenance.
