Abia Extends Operational Hours Of Electric Buses To 10pm, As Otti Directs Prioritisation Of Staff Welfare

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Uche Nwosu

The operational hours of the transport system in Abia State under the management of the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) will now be 10pm instead 7pm daily.

To this end, the state Electric Buses which operate in the system will now ferry passengers from one point in the state to the other beyond the operational period of 7pm.

Giving the directive while commissioning 20 additional buses to join the Green Shuttle fleets, the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti said the management of the organization should carry out the enforcement including weekends with immediate effect.

The governor who commissioned the new buses at the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal, Umuahia, described transportation as a critical driver of economic growth and social development.

According to him, his administration’s commitment to building a modern, environmentally friendly and efficient transportation system.

He warned against acts of sabotage, vandalism and indiscipline, capable of undermining the transport system, stressing that his administration would not tolerate criminality or reckless conduct on the roads.

His word, “No one has the right to violate traffic regulations or endanger the lives and property of others. Beating traffic lights, driving against traffic, overloading and reckless parking will attract severe sanctions”.

To ensure strict compliance, Otti announced the establishment of an independent monitoring team to evaluate enforcement activities and recommend further actions where necessary.

He used the opportunity to task the state inter-agency transport management team to remain committed to protecting government transport assets. The governor directed the management of the buses and terminals to prioritise staff welfare, and ensure that anyone found sabotaging public infrastructure is prosecuted.

“Whoever attempts to drag us back to the darkness of the past will have a very difficult time. We are determined to close the gap between where we are and where we want to be”,he warned.

While recalling that the first fleet of electric buses was launched in December 2025, Otti explained that the latest addition represents another significant milestone in closing the transportation gap in the State.

“Transportation is the oil that lubricates the wheels of prosperity. It moves people, drives commerce and expands the frontiers of opportunity.

“The progress of any civilisation ultimately depends on how its transport system evolves to meet the realities of the time,” he declared.

According to him, the decision to adopt electric vehicles was informed by the need to provide cost-effective transportation, protect the environment, and position Abia ahead of emerging global transportation trends driven by clean energy and technological innovation.

The governor further stated that the newly commissioned buses are equipped with larger cargo compartments and facilities for persons living with disabilities, assuring that it offers improved service delivery while extending affordable, safe and reliable transportation to more destinations within and outside Abia State.

He emphasised that the remarkable transformation witnessed in the State’s public transport sector over the past seven months has introduced orderly queues, technology-driven payment systems, and dependable services comparable to global standards.

While appealing to Abia citizens and residents to fulfill their tax obligations, Otti noted that sustainable development depends on citizens partnering with government through responsible tax compliance.

He therefore assured transport operators that government remains open to constructive dialogue, following reports of concerns from some informal transport operators.

“If you have genuine concerns, communicate with us. This administration is responsible enough to listen and address legitimate challenges”, Otti assured.

Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, described the event as a celebration of visionary leadership and transformational governance.

Ukaegbu observed that Governor Otti’s investments have repositioned public transportation in Abia through innovation, clean energy and people-centred policies.

He assured that the additional 20 electric buses would significantly expand intra-city and inter-city operations, providing affordable, safe and comfortable transportation for workers, students, families and other commuters across the State.