The Abia State Government has begun converting its Free Green Shuttle mass transit programme into a commercial fare-paying transport service while maintaining a 50 per cent fare subsidy for commuters.
The transition is aimed at making the public transport system more sustainable, organised, and efficient across the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced the development on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to him, the new phase of the transport scheme officially began on March 1, 2026, with the government continuing to support commuters through a subsidy on fares.
He explained that the subsidy applies to both inter-city and intra-city routes currently being operated under the bus service scheme.
“The subsidy applies to all inter- and intra-city routes currently being operated under the bus service scheme,” Kanu said.
He noted that the decision to commercialise the transport initiative is part of the state government’s broader plan to ensure the long-term viability of the system.
“The transition marks a critical step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability and operational efficiency of the scheme,” he stated.
As part of the new structure, the government has introduced an electronic ticketing system that will enable commuters to access the service using the Abia Connect Card.
Kanu explained that residents must first obtain the Abia State Social Insurance Number before they can register for the transport card.
“With the commercialisation of the mass transit scheme, e-ticketing permits access to the Abia Connect Card, while obtaining the Abia State Social Insurance Number becomes a conditional requirement for obtaining the Abia Connect Card,” he said.
To ensure a smooth transition, the Abia State Ministry of Transport has been working with several government agencies to engage stakeholders in the transport sector and sensitise commuters.
These agencies include the Harmonised Task Force, Homeland Security, and the Abia State Road Traffic Management Agency.
According to Kanu, the agencies have been conducting joint awareness and enforcement activities at bus stops and bus shelters across major cities in the state.
He said the exercises are designed to guide commuters and help them understand how the new system operates.
The government has also deployed officials to assist residents with registration and payment processes.
Kanu said enumerators responsible for the Abia State Social Insurance Number registration have been stationed at different bus shelters and designated locations to help passengers complete their registration.
“ABSSIN enumerators have been deployed to various bus shelters and designated areas to help register passengers,” he explained.
In addition, touch-and-pay agents responsible for loading funds onto the Abia Connect Cards have also been deployed to several locations in Umuahia and Aba to make the payment process easier for commuters.
“Similarly, the touch-and-pay agents that upload funds into the Abia Connect Cards have been deployed to various bus shelters and designated areas in Aba and Umuahia,” Kanu added.
The government has already established a network of bus shelters to support the mass transit system.
According to the commissioner, a total of 70 bus shelters have been built across the two major cities currently covered by the scheme.
He explained that Umuahia has 30 bus shelters, while Aba has 40.
“The total number of bus shelters so far is 70. Umuahia has 30 bus shelters, while Aba has 40 bus shelters,” he said.
Kanu added that all the shelters in Umuahia are already operational, while 38 of the 40 shelters in Aba are currently in use, with the remaining two expected to become operational soon.
The mass transit initiative has already attracted significant usage since it was introduced late last year.
Kanu disclosed that more than 200,000 passengers had used the transport service within a short period.
“A total of 202,601 passengers had used the mass transit bus service from the rollout date of December 24, 2025, to March 8, 2026,” he said.
Officials say the new transport model is still being tested and will continue to improve as the system expands.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, explained that the scheme is currently at a pilot stage.
They said adjustments and improvements would be made as the system develops.
According to them, the transport reform is designed to reduce disorder in the public transport sector and address the problem of extortion by some commercial transport operators.
They noted that the initiative will also help provide safer, more organised, and reliable transportation for residents across Abia State.
