The FCT Administration (FCTA) has approved N500 million for the purchase of more high capacity buses.
Secretary, FCT Transportation Secretariat, Mr Jonathan Ivoke, revealed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said that the fund was approved by the administration for the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO) to purchase the buses.
He said the approval was in line with the administration’s effort to meet the growing need of commuters in the FCT, adding that the buses would be bought in phases.
According to him, the plan is that the administration will purchase the buses on a yearly basis.
“Currently, 300 high capacity buses are plying different routes in the FCT; we will purchase more to meet the demands of FCT commuters and it will be done on a yearly basis.
“The provision of mass transit in any city is done with high capacity buses to convey many passengers at a go.”
However, he recalled that the ban of coaster buses into the city
centers was not meant to cause hardship on the drivers, adding that the vehicle could only convene 30 passengers.
“Coaster buses can only carry 30 passengers, which is far from the expected number required by the FCTA; therefore, they belong to the category of mini buses and must not ply the city centres.
“FCTA requirement is 80-seater high capacity buses should ply the city centre, while we make provisions for routes for coaster and mini-buses,’’ he said.
According to the secretary, the administration will soon distribute 180 taxis as part of the second batch of the FCT SURE-P programme, adding that FCT Minister would soon announce the date.
