Kaduna State Government says its free CNG buses have helped reduce transportation costs for residents since the scheme began in July 2025.
The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmad Mayaki, said the programme has now entered its 15th month. He spoke while reacting to the Federal Government’s renewed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme.
Kaduna launched the free transport service on July 7, 2025, after the state received 100 Compressed Natural Gas buses. The buses currently operate across eight routes and about 200 bus stops. They serve students, civil servants, traders, artisans and other residents.
President Bola Tinubu recently said the buses carried about 3.2 million passengers during their first year. He added that commuters saved more than N3.5 billion in transportation costs during the period.
Mayaki said the scheme has also reduced the amount of income residents spend on transport. According to him, some civil servants can save between 40 and 50 per cent of their salaries that would otherwise go to transportation. He also said cheaper transport has supported school attendance and improved access to healthcare.
The commissioner said the state plans to continue the free CNG bus service indefinitely. He added that the government is compiling data on the programme’s impact since its launch and plans to make the findings public.
The Kaduna initiative comes as the Federal Government pushes states to expand CNG-powered transportation nationwide. President Tinubu has directed states to work with transport unions and operators to achieve measurable reductions in transport costs from October 1, 2026.
