News Investigators/ Commuters in Maiduguri have applauded the Borno Government for its subsidised mass transit scheme in the state run by Borno Express Corporation.
They describe it as a timely intervention that had significantly reduced the cost of transportation and eased the burden of the prevailing economic hardship.
The subsidised transport scheme introduced by Gov. Babagana Zulum, operates metro buses, electric taxis and gas-powered buses, at highly subsidised fares of between N50 and N100 per trip, compared with the N300 to N600 charged by commercial transport operators on similar routes.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who monitored operations at the Post Office, Bama Park and the University of Maiduguri routes, observed that passengers travelling from the Post Office to Baga Road, Army Barracks, Customs, Muna Garage and Dala, paid only N50.
Similarly, commuters travelling to Bulumkutu, Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Old Airport, 777 Housing Estate, Jimtilo as well as Kashim Ibrahim University, paid N100, a fraction of the fares charged by commercial vehicles.
The state-owned fleet comprised environmentally friendly vehicles, including 50 electric taxis, 20 electric mass transit buses, gas-powered coaster buses and 10 newly introduced 41-seater buses.
Deployed to improve transportation within the Maiduguri metropolis and environs,the buses also conveyed civil servants to and from their workplaces daily.
Mr Mohammed Bello, a newspaper vendor, said the initiative has drastically reduced his transportation expenses to Gomari ward.
“If I miss the Borno Express bus, I spend several times more on transportation. The scheme has brought great relief to people like me,” he said.
Miss Yagana Malle, a student of Kashim Ibrahim University, said she now spent about N200 daily on transportation, instead of more than N1,200, facilitating her regular attendance to lectures without financial strain.
Another student, Mr Garbai Hamza, commended Gov. Zulum for introducing an affordable and dependable transport system.
Also speaking, Hajiya Fatima Mungono, a civil servant at the Musa Usman State Secretariat, described the initiative as a lifeline.
“Without these buses, many of us would have found it difficult to report to work daily.
“The affordable fares have eased our financial burden and encouraged punctuality,” she said.
Another commuter Simon Bwala on his part, urged the state government to sustain and expand the scheme, to cover more communities and accommodate the growing number of commuters benefiting from the service.
NAN