Low Adoption Plagues Abuja Electric Airport Shuttles
Months after its launch, Abuja's electric airport shuttle bus service continues to struggle with low passenger adoption, despite offering significantly cheaper fares and zero-emission travel. The green, silent buses, operated by Possible Electric Vehicles (Possible EVS) in partnership with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), remain largely empty as travelers opt for taxis and ride-hailing services.
Passenger Hesitation and Mixed Reactions
Anita Mathew, a first-time user, expressed uncertainty about using the service again. "From the airport to the city, it is cheaper, but it is not going to take me to my final destination… when I get there and calculate everything I spent, then I will know," she said. Another frequent traveler, Halima Abdul-Salam, said she has never used the bus despite knowing about it, citing waiting time as a deterrent: "I always have appointments. I don’t want to waste time." However, some passengers appreciate the service. Mowa Adikpe, who chose the bus for safety reasons, said, "I once used a taxi and the driver ran away with my luggage. So this bus is safer for me."
Service Details and Operational Challenges
The electric shuttle service was launched on 30th January by FAAN as part of its renewable energy agenda. The buses charge a flat fare of ₦10,000, compared to ₦25,000–₦30,000 for airport taxis. However, the service currently only runs between the airport and Wuse 2, with three designated stops. Departures from the airport occur every hour between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and buses wait a maximum of 30 minutes before departing, even with few passengers. Driver John Machunga noted, "We move even if passengers are less than five."
Despite these efforts, occupancy remains low. Machunga estimated daily usage at about 10–15% of airport passengers, with an average of five to six passengers per bus. Abimbola Oduwole Gyer, Head of Operations at Possible EVS, confirmed similar trends, adding that about 45% of users are travelers arriving from Lagos. "Most passengers say they didn’t know about it when they arrive," she said.
Infrastructure and Awareness Hurdles
Operators cite visibility as the biggest challenge. "We don’t have office space inside the airport… that also limits attraction," said Oduwole Gyer. Electricity supply is another constraint, as the buses depend entirely on fast-charging systems. "Sometimes we want to charge our buses, but there is no light," she lamented. Each bus has a battery capacity of about 200 kilometers.
FAAN's Head of Commercial, Matawal Solomon Moses, noted that the buses are owned by Possible EVS, not FAAN. "FAAN only granted them the opportunity to operate and do business at the airport, just like other car hire services," he said. He added that expansion is possible based on passenger needs.
Impact on Taxi and Ride-Hailing Services
Traditional taxi and ride-hailing drivers report minimal impact from the electric shuttles. Suleiman Umar, a car hire driver, said, "This is business, and it is not affecting us in any way. Besides, we are many here and they only have a few buses." Sunday Emmanuel, a Bolt driver, added, "People use Bolt because they want direct rides." Drivers estimate they still handle about 80% of passengers.
Passenger Demand for Wider Routes
Passengers consistently express a desire for wider coverage and faster departures. Richard Obi said, "I like it. But I hope it goes everywhere in town. It should not just stop at Wuse 2." The structured route ends at Wuse 2, requiring onward travel for passengers heading to other parts of the city. Oduwole Gyer explained that Wuse 2 serves as a central hub, and expansion plans are underway based on customer feedback.
Despite the challenges, FAAN maintains the initiative is part of a broader shift to cleaner energy. "Electric vehicles help reduce carbon emissions," Moses said. However, with usage remaining low, the promise of cheaper, cleaner transport has yet to fully translate into passenger adoption.
