The Ekiti State Government has commenced efforts to reduce transportation fares by 50 per cent with the deployment of 15 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease the burden of rising transport costs on residents.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji announced the initiative during the official flag-off of the buses at the premises of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency in Ado-Ekiti.

The deployment coincided with Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary and the 30th anniversary of Ekiti State’s creation.

Oyebanji, who was accompanied by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the initiative was part of efforts to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directive to state governors to find ways of reducing transportation costs for Nigerians.

The governor explained that the 15 CNG buses, donated to the state by the Federal Government, would serve as a pilot scheme, adding that the government planned to expand the fleet to reach more residents.

He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for the intervention, noting that the provision of the buses would help reduce transportation expenses and improve access to affordable public transport.

According to him, the initiative demonstrates the commitment of both the Federal and Ekiti State governments to improving the welfare of citizens.

Oyebanji urged transport unions to ensure that the benefits of the CNG buses were passed directly to commuters through reduced fares.“My appeal is to the unions; they should allow the gains to translate to the commuters because this will reduce transportation costs by 50 per cent.”

The governor also commended Tinubu’s economic policies, saying they had helped provide state governments with more resources to execute programmes and projects that directly benefit the people.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ekiti State Transportation Agency, Hon. Tajudeen Akingbolu, disclosed that routes had been mapped out for the CNG buses to operate from Ado-Ekiti to Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha and Abuja.

Akingbolu said the initiative was expected to provide residents with more affordable and reliable interstate transportation while reducing the impact of high transport fares.

The state government said the deployment was part of its broader efforts to cushion the economic burden on residents and improve access to public transportation across Ekiti State.