Kaduna to begin free bus service for workers, students, retirees Monday

The Kaduna state government says it will begin free transportation for civil servants, retirees, and students from Monday.

In a statement on Sunday, Inuwa Ibrahim, director-general of the Kaduna State Transport Regulatory Authority (KADSTRA), said the initiative will run for six months, after which a 60 percent subsidy on transport fares will take effect for the general public.

Ibrahim said the scheme will benefit students across public and private schools, from primary to tertiary level.

The gesture, according to him, is part of the Uba Sani-led administration’s commitment to the welfare of residents, particularly civil servants, senior citizens, and young people.

Ibrahim said civil servants will be granted access to the buses upon presentation of a valid staff identity card and a matching national identification number (NIN).

He added that students will be allowed to board only if they are in full school uniform, while personnel of recognised security agencies can access the buses on presentation of proper identification.

He said the buses will operate on three routes, including Rigachikun–Kawo–Kasuwa–Sabo, Sabo–Kasuwa–Kawo–Rigachikun, Rigachikun–Kawo–Independence Way–Yakowa Road, and Yakowa Road–Independence Way–Kawo–Rigachikun.

Others include Tudun Wada – Poly road – Sokoto road – Kawo and Kawo – Sokoto road – Poly road – Tudun Wada.

Ibrahim also cautioned commuters against rushing or jumping queues while boarding the buses.

The development comes weeks after President Bola Tinubu inaugurated 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in Kaduna on June 19 to ease public transportation in the state.