Cross River State Acquires 730 Electric Vehicles

The Cross River State Government has acquired 730 electric vehicles, which include 10 intercity buses, 20 shuttle buses, 500 tricycles, and 200 motorcycles, as part of an ambitious plan to revolutionize public transportation. Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, the Commissioner for Transport, disclosed this during a media interaction in Calabar.

The initiative aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and significantly lower transportation costs for commuters. Governor Bassey Otu's administration intends to cut transport fares on major routes by 70%, with the cost of travel expected to decrease from N600 to between N150 and N200.

The electric buses can carry 50 passengers and will serve major urban routes, while the tricycles and motorcycles will be distributed across the state's three senatorial districts. This acquisition is the first phase of a long-term strategy to modernize transport and stimulate economic growth.

The government has also deployed charging infrastructure to support the electric vehicles and has plans for further transport projects, including a grand littoral rail project.