By Yahaya Idris, Lokoja
The Coastal Bus Free Ride initiative sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Sunday Steve Karimi, has commenced full operations along the Zango–Shettima–Barracks axis to Nataco Junction in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The initiative has continued to attract high patronage from residents, workers, students, artisans and other commuters who ply the route on a daily basis.
The free transportation service is designed to ease the burden of transportation costs on residents, particularly people who depend on public transport to get to their workplaces, schools, businesses and other destinations.
Passengers using the service are conveyed from their various locations to their destinations without paying any fare.
The initiative is also open to commuters irrespective of their religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.
Residents along the route have welcomed the intervention, describing it as a people-oriented programme capable of reducing the financial pressure associated with daily transportation.
Some beneficiaries also expressed appreciation for the initiative and prayed for the success of Senator Karimi in the 2027 elections, while urging eligible voters in Kogi West to support his political aspirations.
The service is expected to particularly benefit workers and students commuting to Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, Federal University Lokoja, as well as pupils and students attending primary, secondary and nursery schools within the affected areas.
Artisans, traders and other residents who depend on daily movement along the corridor are also expected to benefit from the free transportation service.
The initiative comes amid rising transportation costs, which continue to affect household incomes and the ability of many residents to move conveniently within the metropolis.
The free bus service therefore represents an intervention aimed at reducing transportation expenses while improving mobility for residents along the designated route.
Senator Karimi, who represents Kogi West in the National Assembly, has also attracted attention through various interventions in education, infrastructure and human capital development since his election to the Senate.
With the commencement of full operations, commuters along the Zango–Shettima–Barracks–Nataco Junction corridor are expected to continue benefiting from the service as they travel to their respective destinations at no cost.
It would be recalled that Senator Karimi was elected about three years ago and has continued to focus on interventions aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of constituents and other residents.