ECTS will deliver on extended free bus ride in Edo -Mrs Ohikhuai

Edo State government under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki has extended its Free Bus Ride Scheme to February, 2024. The scheme which started on the 11th of September to cushion the hardship occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government has saved the cost of commuting from one place to the other for Edo people.

The people has embraced the scheme which can be described as a huge success in judging from the level of patronage and the number of fleets that are on the road; both intra-city and inter-city.

In a media interview with our Correspondent in Benin, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Edo City Transport Service, Mrs. Hauwa Dupe Ohikhuai disclosed that the Governor of the state, Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki has extended the scheme to February, 2024.

” I want to appreciate the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for this laudable objective which took off on the 11th of September. Edo people has embraced this scheme which was borne out of the desire of the Governor to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal. And the State owned transport company saddled with the responsibility of offering this free bus ride excitedly ensured that the vehicles were on the road both inter and intra city to commute passengers to their destinations. It was for two months; from the 11th of September to 10th of November, but now his Excellency the state Governor has graciously extended it to February, 2024 which covers the entire festive period of Christmas and New Year. This is the period cost of transportation soars, so Edo people are grateful to the Governor because this gesture has helped people to save on transportation and deploy income to other areas of their lives.

In the two months, a total of one million five hundred and thirty six thousand nine hundred and four ( 1,536,904) passengers were conveyed. Out of this amount, thirty three thousand four hundred and eighty ( 33, 480) were inter-city Passengers while one million five hundred and three thousand four hundred and twenty four ( 1,503,424) were intra-city Passengers”.

On the cost of diesel and overall maintenance of the fleets to ensure they are always on the road to serve commuters, Mrs. Ohikhuai said ” His Excellency in his wisdom has provided logistics for us to seamlessly deliver on the free bus ride mandate that we were given. Just as we have done for the two months, we will further deliver 100% on the new directive”.