Commercial drivers using compressed natural gas are spending significantly less on fuel, but many passengers still pay the same fares as those using petrol-powered vehicles, a new investigation has found.

An investigation published by TheCable on October 17⁠ found that transport fares remain unchanged on several Lagos and Abuja routes despite the lower running costs of CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) vehicles.

The findings raise questions about the government’s promise to reduce transport fares through its national CNG programme.

Drivers spend less but charge the same fares

In Lagos, petrol reportedly sold for between ₦1,385 and ₦1,400 per litre, while CNG cost approximately ₦380 per standard cubic metre.

On the Ogba–Ojota route, both petrol and CNG-powered minibuses charged ₦500 per passenger.

Drivers interviewed by TheCable reported spending approximately ₦30,000 daily on petrol, compared with around ₦5,000 on gas for some CNG-powered vehicles.

Despite these differences, passengers were generally charged identical fares.

Some drivers explained that reducing fares independently could create disagreements with petrol-powered operators using the same motor parks.

Why are drivers refusing to reduce fares?

Transport operators identified several reasons beyond fuel prices.

Some CNG drivers said they spend two to four hours waiting at filling stations because of limited gas infrastructure.

Others complained about vehicle conversion costs, which can reach ₦600,000 or more, alongside rising spare-part prices and maintenance expenses.

Drivers also pay daily loading charges, park tickets and other operational fees.

Transport unions influence fares on many routes, meaning individual drivers may have limited freedom to charge less.

These costs help explain why cheaper fuel does not automatically result in cheaper transportation.

Government says some routes are already cheaper

The Federal Government launched its National Affordable CNG Transit Programme to reduce transportation costs following the removal of petrol subsidies.

In a September 30 statement⁠, the Presidential Initiative on CNG and Electric Vehicles reported reductions on selected routes.

For example, the government said the Enugu–Nsukka fare had fallen to ₦1,600 on CNG-supported buses, compared with previous fares of ₦3,000–₦4,000.

It also reported reduced fares on designated routes in Abuja and Lagos.

However, these reductions have not been experienced uniformly across ordinary commercial transportation services.

What this means for Nigerians

The investigation reveals a gap between reducing transport operators’ costs and ensuring passengers benefit from those savings.

Expanding gas stations, improving vehicle conversion access and reviewing transport levies could help reduce operating costs further.

But making transport genuinely affordable may also require stronger coordination with transport unions and transparent fare arrangements.

The real measure of Nigeria’s CNG programme is not simply how much drivers save on fuel, but how much passengers ultimately save on transportation.