posted October 18, 2023
The Free Bus Ride Scheme initiated by Governor Godwin Obaseki’s government in Edo State has provided significant benefits to the residents of the state, particularly in light of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
In the first month of the scheme, 706,398 commuters benefited from the free bus service. This service covers both intra-city and inter-city routes operated by the State-owned Edo City Transport Services (ECTS).
The beneficiaries of the free bus service collectively saved over N314,665,500 during the one-month period, as they would have had to pay for these transportation services if the scheme was not in place.
The Free Bus Ride Scheme was introduced by Governor Obaseki on September 11, 2023, and it was initially planned to run for two months. The scheme was designed as part of the government’s welfare package to alleviate the financial burden on the people due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
The free bus service has been well-received by the people of Edo State, and it is helping them save money on transportation. The Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, expressed satisfaction with the appreciation from the public since the program began.
Analyzing the data generated by the free bus ride scheme in one month, he disclosed that 14,324 passengers benefited from the inter-city service while 692,074 passengers benefited from the intra- city service.
“If the commuters were made to pay for these services, a total of N314,665,500 would have been expended by them, however, this money would have been saved by the commuters due to the free bus service offered by the state government,” Nehikhare said.
According to him, “This free bus ride has become popular among Edo people. It is helping them save their transport money since the service commenced on the 11th of September. Edo people have been directly touched by these initiatives. We are pleased by the appreciation we have received from Edo people since the programme commenced.”
He further said, “The Edo State Government takes the welfare of Edo people seriously and we want Edo people to use the free buses regularly. We know that before now transportation has always consumed close to 50 per cent of families’ budgets. So, the gesture is to help so that they can channel this money to some other needs such as feeding and housing.”
The Edo State Government’s goal with this initiative is to alleviate the financial strain on the people, especially the most vulnerable, by reducing their transportation expenses. It is aimed at helping families allocate their resources to other essential needs, such as food and housing.
The scheme is expected to continue for the initial two months, and it is anticipated that around 1,500,000 commuters will benefit from the service during this period.
The free bus service covers both intra-city and inter-city routes that cut across the three senatorial districts of the state, ensuring that a wide range of residents can benefit from it.
Presently, the service covers the existing routes operated by ECTS cut across the three senatorial districts of the State, spanning Auchi – Igarra – Ibillo–Ososo; Uzebba–Ikhin – Otuo, and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohirin to Ewatto while the intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.
So far, this initiative is a commendable effort by the Edo State Government to provide financial relief to its citizens following the fuel subsidy removal, and no doubt, it appears to have had a positive impact in terms of reducing the transportation burden on the people.