The Ondo State Government has announced plans to introduce an app-based electric bus transport system in Akure as part of efforts to reduce commuting costs, improve passenger safety and create employment opportunities for youths.
The proposed initiative, being developed by an information technology company, ADMINSERV, will begin with five electric buses, with a possible expansion to 150 buses if the pilot phase proves successful.
The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Transport, Olumuyiwa Ogunyemi, disclosed this during a meeting with journalists in Akure on Monday.
Ogunyemi said the project aligned with the state government's drive to explore alternative energy sources and provide more affordable transportation for residents.
He explained that the initiative would include solar-powered charging stations at selected bus stops, with plans to expand the facilities as the project develops.
According to him, the charging infrastructure would also be accessible to individuals and organisations operating compatible electric vehicles.
Ogunyemi added that the state was exploring compressed natural gas (CNG) as another alternative to petrol and diesel, noting that facilities at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, and opposite an NNPC facility in Ore could improve access to alternative energy across the state's three senatorial districts.
He said private investors would finance the infrastructure, while the government would provide an enabling environment and security. He added that affordability would be considered when determining charges for the facilities.
The Managing Director of ADMINSERV, Peter Nnmani, said the company chose Ondo as the starting point for the project despite considering Lagos, which offers a larger potential market.
He said the initiative was designed to combine technology with public transportation to address high commuting costs, delays, environmental pollution and concerns about passenger security.
Nnmani's spokesperson and strategic consultant said the company was developing a mobile application expected to be ready within two weeks of the announcement.
The application would enable passengers to access the service, while a rechargeable transport card, known as Cowry, would provide an alternative for commuters who could not download or use the app.
The company said the buses would operate on scheduled routes, allowing passengers to travel without the usual delays associated with waiting for additional passengers before departure.
On affordability, ADMINSERV projected that monthly transportation expenditure could drop from about ₦9,000 to between ₦5,000 and ₦6,000 per user under the proposed arrangement.
To improve security, the company plans to install closed-circuit television cameras in the buses and deploy vehicle-tracking and digital-monitoring systems. These measures, it said, would help operators monitor journeys and retrieve relevant travel records when necessary.
The proposed service would initially operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., with the possibility of extending operations to 24 hours depending on demand.
ADMINSERV also projected the creation of between 40 and 50 jobs during the initial phase, including positions for drivers, cleaners and technical personnel. The company is also considering opportunities for outstanding graduates in information technology and transport-related fields.
The firm said it hoped to cover at least 50 per cent of Akure during the initial stage, with the fleet expanding from five to 150 buses if the scheme proved viable.
The proposed charging stations would rely on solar energy supported by battery storage, enabling them to serve both the company's buses and other compatible electric vehicles.
The state government, however, said further discussions with ADMINSERV would be required to resolve outstanding technical, security and implementation issues before the project could proceed.
If implemented as proposed, the initiative could offer residents an alternative to petrol-powered transportation while supporting efforts to lower commuting expenses, promote cleaner energy and expand employment opportunities in Ondo State.