UNILAG launches CNG buses, pegs campus transport fare at ₦150

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has commence a compressed natural gas (CNG) transport scheme across its campus today with fares fixed at ₦150 per trip.

The initiative, developed in partnership with the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (Pi-CNG), will involve the conversion of existing campus shuttle buses to CNG-powered vehicles and the deployment of newly purchased CNG buses.

The University also said academic staff would have access to vehicle conversion services at minimal cost as part of the programme.

Speaking during the launch recently, the University management said the scheme was introduced in response to rising transportation costs affecting students and other members of the university community.

The University said the fixed ₦150 fare would apply across its existing campus transport system from October 5.

Under the partnership, Pi-CNG is providing buses and conversion kits to support the university’s transition to CNG-powered transportation.

A representative of Pi-CNG said the conversion kits would allow petrol-powered vehicles to be converted to CNG, helping to reduce the cost of operating the vehicles.

“CNG is cleaner. It is safer. It is cheaper. Let us use it,” the representative said.

The representative added that the CNG station at the university was not yet ready, but the buses and conversion kits were being provided ahead of its completion so that the university could begin benefiting from the programme.

The initiative is part of the Pi-CNG’s programme to deploy CNG buses across 20 universities nationwide.

The University said the programme is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve mobility for students and staff and reduce emissions within the campus environment.

The partnership also provides for vehicle conversions for academic staff, allowing eligible staff members to convert their vehicles to CNG at reduced cost.

The development comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to expand CNG adoption as an alternative to petrol and reduce the impact of high transportation costs following the removal of petrol subsidy.